Opposition leader apologises for Moncur comments

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

OFFICIAL Opposition Leader Loretta Butler-Turner sought to establish clear boundaries on the type of conduct she expects from her new parliamentary caucus in a public apology yesterday for the “inappropriate and insensitive comments” made by Senator Rodney Moncur towards a Tribune reporter.

However, she defended the controversial talk show host’s right to free speech and expression.

Her remarks came in a statement released two days after Mr Moncur became combative and aggressive with Tribune Deputy Chief Reporter Khrisna Virgil, after the journalist questioned Mrs Butler-Turner about Mr Moncur’s opposition to a 2009 Marital Rape Bill.

Among a string of outbursts, Mr Moncur told Ms Virgil that as a 60-year-old married man, he could “climb on top” of his wife whenever he pleased.

He also shouted that Ms Virgil was “dangerous,” adding “you must know how to frame your questions before you come to me.”

Mrs Butler-Turner asserted that her parliamentary team will “in no uncertain terms” refrain from berating, insulting or antagonising the public or the media under any circumstance, and endeavour to express themselves in a manner that does not offend others. She urged members to remember to remain approachable and responsive to these groups, and to respect their views, notwithstanding their personal expectations that this tolerance be reciprocal.

The confrontation between Mr Moncur and Ms Virgil occurred shortly after he had been sworn in as an opposition senator, appointed by Mrs Butler-Turner.

For her part, Mrs Butler-Turner extended “the sincerest of unreserved apologies” to Ms Virgil, but made it clear that she will continue to both defend Mr Moncur’s right to free speech and extol his work as a longtime defender of the socially and economically disfranchised.

She said the apology came after days of reflection over the significance of a public figure’s ability to balance their right to free speech against “universally accepted standards of decency and courteousness to others.”

“Senator Moncur is entitled to express his own views on issues in accordance with his constitutional right to freedom of expression,” Mrs Butler-Turner’s statement said.

“Indeed, I am a firm believer that diversity of opinion, reflecting the concerns and viewpoints of a broad cross-section of Bahamian society, is precisely what is needed in our politics today.”

She continued: “I will continue to defend Senator Moncur’s right to free speech and extol his work as a longtime defender of the socially and economically disfranchised.

“At the same time, I assert in no uncertain terms that whatever their personal views, members of our parliamentary team will refrain from berating, insulting or antagonising members of the public or journalists under any circumstance.

“They will also seek to express their own views in a manner that, as far as possible, does not offend others,” she said.

In yesterday’s apology, Mrs Butler-Turner reaffirmed that it was the Official Opposition’s intention to fight the governing Progressive Liberal Party government with vigour in 2017.

She continued: “We must remember to remain approachable and responsive to both the press and members of the public. Most importantly, we must be respectful of the views of others, even as we expect them to be tolerant of ours.

“Once again, I apologise unreservedly to Ms Virgil, whom I have always known to be a diligent, proficient and honest representative of the media, and to those offended by Senator Moncur’s remarks.”

Criticism

Mr Moncur has not been shy in vocalising his conservative and anti-feminist views, which led many to question and criticise Mrs Butler-Turner’s decision to appoint the community activist and justice of the peace to the Upper Chamber.

Both Senate Leader of Opposition Business Branville McCartney and Mr Moncur were opposed to the Marital Rape Bill, which Mrs Butler-Turner tabled in Parliament in 2009. Both men also rejected the gender equality referendum, albeit for different stated reasons.

In an op-ed published in The Bahamas Weekly this week, women’s rights activist and director of Hollaback Bahamas Alicia Wallace characterised those two Senate appointments as the final blow to Mrs Butler-Turner’s most ardent supporters - women and supporters of women’s rights.

Mrs Wallace posited that diversity and inclusion did not have to come at the cost of dismissing marginalised communities, and that such an exchange for political expediency was rooted in self-interest and poor judgment.

“For a brief time,” Ms Wallace wrote, “women, feminists, and supporters of women’s rights looked forward to potential benefits of a woman breaking precedent and having the power to influence the national agenda or, at the very least, using a powerful platform to give voice and visibility to underemphasized concerns. This, unfortunately, has not come to fruition; instead, widespread disappointment, shock, and anger are the results of Butler-Turner’s first move as leader of the opposition in Parliament.”

She continued: “Following the gender equality referendum which resulted in the death of four constitutional amendment bills, Bahamian women have been waiting for a win. Even people who do not support the FNM wanted to see Butler-Turner emerge victorious. Her withdrawal from the FNM leadership race was disheartening and, for many, unforgivable. Still, when the shock wore off, people were ready to rally behind her again, prepared to support a woman with the belief that she would reflect them — their needs, values, and beliefs.”

Ms Wallace is the co-founder of the Coalition to End Gender-based Violence & Discrimination, serves as the youth ambassador for The Bahamas to End Sexual Violence, and is one of 60 recipients of the 2015 Queen’s Young Leaders Award.

“Must we rid ourselves of the PLP at the expense of women?” Ms Wallace questioned. “Is the impact of such people spewing patriarchal misogynist rhetoric and seeding the idea that women are subhuman being severely underestimated? Can we recover from the long-term impact their voices, in positions of power, will have on Bahamian society?”

Comments

Publius says...

> Mrs Wallace posited that diversity and inclusion did not have to come at the cost of dismissing marginalised communities, and that such an exchange for political expediency was rooted in self-interest and poor judgment.

Absolutely correct

Posted 23 December 2016, 8:59 a.m. Suggest removal

Alex_Charles says...

Now notice...when someone makes statements like Moncur did, and does all the time, the church community and the BCC are absolutely goddman silent. The INSTANT the discussion is about equality in the country they roar up about some global homosexual agenda.

Posted 23 December 2016, 9:10 a.m. Suggest removal

Publius says...

yes

Posted 23 December 2016, 2:03 p.m. Suggest removal

Honestman says...

Among a string of outbursts, Mr Moncur told Ms Virgil that as a 60-year-old married man, he could “climb on top” of his wife whenever he pleased.

Ain't she the lucky one!!!

Posted 23 December 2016, 10:28 a.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

And tell us LBT, who is going to apologize for your grave error in judgement in appointing this brain-dead loonie-tune of a billy-goat a senator?!

Posted 23 December 2016, 10:32 a.m. Suggest removal

banker says...

Apologies are owed for Bran Flakes as well.

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…

Posted 23 December 2016, 1:14 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Your pic is simply "Fantasimo!" Both sides of my torso are aching as a result of my uncontrolled loud laughter upon seeing those appropriately embellished green lips!!

Posted 23 December 2016, 1:58 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrades! Operative word here is "Our." in Loretta's, "I assert in no uncertain terms that whatever their personal views, members of "our" parliamentary team will refrain from berating, insulting or antagonizing members of the public or journalists under any circumstance. Exactly who is it other than the green party's Bran and Rodney is it that she claims makes up the players of the"Our" in Loretta's Coup de théâtre?
However, you really had no need to step forward to defend the controversial talk show host’s right to free speech and expression, if you really believed he had right say whatever he damn well wants... And say what he damn well wants say is why Rodney's DNA makeup is what it is... no surprises now that he's been elevated to the Red Upper Chamber.
The three ladies, Loretta, Sharon and Allyson, better get well prepared for Rodney cause he's ready to take them on...and the public will encourage our Senator, the Peoples Senator Rodney to study lots into wee hours morning to take the three ladies on.

Posted 23 December 2016, 2:05 p.m. Suggest removal

thomas says...

Moncur was just being Moncur. Misplaced apology.

Posted 23 December 2016, 4:18 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

Correct .......... does anyone really believe that Rodney Moncur will fall in line??

Posted 23 December 2016, 4:26 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrade Sheeprunner12, the people keep calling for man's and woman's step forward to represent we the people who will not change once in office... and Loretta, Sharon and Alyson are done chastising our Comrade Rodney for his frankness about this and that. Did they almost faint or what, when Rodney stood up in upper red chamber to explain how when he wants hop on the Mrs...he likes just hops unimpeded.

Posted 23 December 2016, 4:59 p.m. Suggest removal

hallmark says...

With all the serious and major issues we have TODAY, why is she so interested in some remarks that Moncur made from 2009. Go question our parliamentarians about our present issues, like the downgrade, etc.

Posted 23 December 2016, 5:30 p.m. Suggest removal

truetruebahamian says...

I would have gone with Loretta, but I presently have my doubts. Something decisive must happen soon though to rid ourselves of the plp thugs.

Posted 23 December 2016, 6:44 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

Loretta is ridiculous, she's still taking about "representation" in the senate. The bills got all the "representation" they were designed to get from the REPRESENTATIVE in parliament BEFORE it landed in the senate. All the senate has to do is validate legalities. Rollins need to write that letter quick.

Posted 23 December 2016, 7:39 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrades! It only took like a two-week period for the whole Coup de théâtre thing to turn into one abnormal and unnatural freak show. A doomed for a quick failure Coup, lead by the MP for Long Island, who learnt nothing and forgot everything about why she was doomed for failure the second she first thought she could wrestled the leadership of the party away from 410 Red Shirts convention voting delegates.
She has this entitlement attitude problem that she can through the Governor General, bypass the 410 Red Shirts delegates who wanted nothing to do with her proposal to lead their red party.
Or, maybe the 410 Red Shirts delegates will continue to remain silent while she sees her Coup through to the end - even if it results in the destruction the Red Movement.

Posted 24 December 2016, 3:12 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

I wondering now where did the promised opposition to the PLP gone since they "swing doc" and LBT became leader. . .all I still hearing is them seven opposing doc and the FNM!! Yinna think that doc was right all alone and he had a bunch of snakes who were not doing they work. . .and just focusing on him and them saving their own tails? At least back then MP Rollins WAS DOING SOME JOOKING IN THE PLP BACKSIDES. . .now even him only focused on the FNM leadership and their doc!

Posted 30 December 2016, 11:13 a.m. Suggest removal

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