By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday confirmed that he met with the police over allegations raised in a lawsuit against Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard.

Mr Davis maintained that he was not questioned or interviewed but merely “spoke” with officers concerning the matter.

“I spoke with police,” he said. “I was not questioned, I wasn’t interviewed, I spoke with police yesterday (Monday).”

“The matter is now under investigation and before the courts, and I will not make any further comments.”

He spoke to The Tribune as he entered Parliament for the continuation of debate on the mid-year budget.

Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade announced to the press on Monday that he had launched an official investigation into allegations contained in an affidavit that Mr Nygard orchestrated a murderous plot against his billionaire neighbour Louis Bacon and lawyer Fred Smith, QC, his chief opponents in an ongoing campaign against development at Nygard Cay.

Mr Greenslade said the independent investigation would determine whether there is anything of a criminal nature that the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) should be pursuing, “if there is any matter that originates of a criminal nature and whether there is any capability in terms of anyone we have reason to speak to.”

The affidavit filed against Mr Nygard contained secret recordings between the fashion mogul, Livingston “Toggie” Bullard and Wisler “Bobo” Davilma that suggest the men had a close relationship with Mr Davis.

Bullard and Davilma identified themselves as high profile gang members in sworn testimony and allege that Mr Nygard gave them a “hit list” of people to murder or “send a message” to. The men also claim that they were asked by Mr Davis to support Mr Nygard unconditionally because he was a major sponsor of the PLP.

Mr Greenslade told reporters on Monday that police spoke with Mr Christie and planned to speak with Mr Davis in reference to the explosive allegations.

On Thursday, Mr Davis told The Tribune that he had known both Bullard and Davilma since 2010, but said he was unaware of the allegations. He spoke to this newspaper on the sidelines of an agricultural expo at Gladstone Road.

He said last week: “I know the individuals identified in the story and I have known them from at least 2010 or thereabouts.

“It depends on what you define as close relations. I know nothing about it (the allegations) and from what I read this matter is in the court and it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment on it.”

The following day, the deputy prime minister released a statement accusing The Tribune of conducting a smear campaign by publishing stories from the affidavit.

A Supreme Court writ was filed against Mr Nygard and his former lawyer Keod Smith by Save The Bays directors Joseph Darville, Romauld Ferreira, Fred Smith, Mr Bacon, and Reverend CB Moss last Wednesday. They allege that the defendants orchestrated a two-and-a-half-year campaign of fear and violence to “kill or scare off” activists Mr Nygard saw as opponents to development plans for his Lyford Cay property. According to the court documents, the plaintiffs compensated Bullard and Davilma for being whistleblowers in exposing Mr Nygard’s alleged activities.