FNM founder backs Minnis

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

MAURICE Moore, considered one of the FNM’s founding fathers, yesterday defended FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis as “an honest man”, saying he saw no reason for the Killarney MP to resign over his admission that he met three times with “gang member” Livingston “Toggie” Bullard.

Mr Moore stressed that Dr Minnis “did nothing wrong” and had no involvement in allegations of a murderous plot connected to Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard.

He was adamant that Dr Minnis should remain the party’s leader in the face of reported internal calls for him to step down over his handling of the matter. Critics have contended that this is the honourable thing to do, suggesting that Dr Minnis was not forthcoming in his dealings with Bullard, one of two “criminals” at the heart of the controversy.

His comments come as Dr Minnis continues to be criticised because he did not reveal until last week that he met with Bullard at his home in west New Providence.

He told The Tribune he first met with Bullard at his home where he was told to pass on a message to former Senator and FNM Chairman Michael Pintard that he was about to be “set up” by high-ranking members of the government. The “gang member”, who he said is his constituent, gave him fish on the other two occasions that they met.

He was adamant that the two men never discussed Mr Nygard.

His admission, which came a week after he called for a police investigation into the claims about Mr Nygard, has angered certain circles of the party, this newspaper understands.

However, Mr Moore said he does not see why anyone is upset.

“I don’t think the leader should resign. He is not involved.

“If someone calls him and said (a) trap is set for Pintard and he said ‘look this is what I have been told’, where is the harm in that?

“The leader didn’t have to say it, but I think he was very frank. He is honest and straightforward. He advised him (Mr Pintard) not to go, but he didn’t do anything beyond that,” Mr Moore said.

The Tribune was told on Monday by a trusted source that veteran FNMs and staunch supporters are angered at Dr Minnis’ handling of the controversial matter, arguing that as party leader he should never have been involved in the situation. It is understood that there are ongoing conversations on how the party will handle the matter moving forward.

Mr Moore further expressed his dissatisfaction over how Dr Minnis has been handled in the House of Assembly while trying to defend himself and his three meetings with Bullard.

He went on to blast parliamentarians for their repeated commentary on the matter saying as it is the subject of a police investigation and none of the claims in several affidavits have been proven in court, the comments are purely based on emotion and not truth.

He was referring to several House of Assembly sessions when the issue has repeatedly been discussed, sparking several points of contention during the proceedings.

Mr Moore said responsible Bahamians ought to “sit tight” until the facts are proven because the allegations not only bring into question the integrity of this country, but diminishes the credibility of the government.

“It’s a sad day, and I am very sad to see what my country and the government is going through,” he said when contacted for comment.

“When I see that the government of the country is conducting themselves in the House in such a way it brings me no joy. It also makes me very sad that we have come to a time where the leader of the opposition is refused to defend himself sufficiently, but the government ministers are allowed to lambaste him and go on and on as they please. It is not proper. I just don’t think they are handling him the right way.”

He continued: “I am more concerned for my country, more than the individuals involved. The good name of the Bahamas and the Bahamian people is at stake here. I have no other country to go to.”

This comes after Mr Pintard’s resignation as senator and FNM chairman last week. He resigned weeks after he was named in a lawsuit filed on March 9 against Mr Nygard and his lawyer Keod Smith by four Save The Bays (STB) directors - Joseph Darville, Romauld Ferreira, Fred Smith and billionaire Louis Bacon - and Reverend CB Moss.

The lawsuit alleges that Mr Nygard engaged in a murder-for-hire scheme with “criminals” Bullard and Wisler “Bobo” Davilma, and paid them to stage several hate rallies and commit such criminal acts as arson and harassment. It was revealed that the two men were tracked down with the help of Mr Pintard.

Mr Nygard has since denied the claims and filed court documents claiming Mr Pintard and Mr Bacon conspired to implicate him in an alleged murder plot.

Comments

cmiller says...

I don't care who backs him or stands by him. It was still very, very disappointing to learn of his dealings with 'the criminals'. Should NOT have happened. Period!!!!!!!

Posted 30 March 2016, 1:26 p.m. Suggest removal

GrassRoot says...

yep, Dr. Minnis needs backing and a new spine every day. The question is not if he is honest or not. He will be probably one of the most honest people coming out of this mess. The Question is, is Dr. Minnis they guy that wins the election. That, he is not.

Posted 30 March 2016, 1:27 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

Maurice Moore has ONE vote ..................... the rules of 1971 do not apply today

Posted 30 March 2016, 1:29 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrade Loretta has been rather silent over Minnis tall fish story, Pintard and Nygardgate, but I take it after watching this long before Nygardgate, video, that she certainly seemed to have been saying, you shouldn't keep secrets when it comes accountability (coming clean) over the so many allegations pointing at wrong doing by red shirts?
But you watch and do the 'honourable' when it comes down to making up your own minds?
Thousands upon thousands Bahamalanders, including Long Islanders and Montagu residents, may have been left all dismayed over how her own red shirts party - have indeed been keeping far too many damn party secrets from the people?
But, you makes up your own minds?

...////https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHenPqY1e3U

Posted 30 March 2016, 1:42 p.m. Suggest removal

The PLP tried to stick her with the fraud/investor incident ......... but it didn't stick .............. she is just biding her time, like any smart politician ........ right now the PLP mud-slingers look very bad and Minnis is neutered

Posted 30 March 2016, 1:59 p.m. Suggest removal

Comrade Sheeprunner12, while the PLP cabinet have reached its lowest point since the 2012 General, the red shirts are knee-deep alongside them.
If the reds don't stop with the party's internal hemorrhaging, they will all be thrown out of the party - before the 2017 General bell does even get rungs.
Not even the dead in the graveyards gong vote red or yellow, and you knows how we dead people, does likes ghostly show-up at the polling stations to cast they votes on election days.
Moral story. It's bad politics when you gone rattle the bones da dead people laying low in graveyards.
Comrade Maurice is about as close as you can come to a living, breathing ghost from da past.

Posted 30 March 2016, 2:11 p.m. Suggest removal

LBT is smart. She aint opening her mouth if she does not have anything to contribute.

Posted 30 March 2016, 2:21 p.m. Suggest removal

Comrade, never stop Loretta before. Right?

Posted 30 March 2016, 2:23 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

I just hope the good Doc just give LBT a convention. . .let she and she minions see that she don't have the right-stuff. . .at least for we the people she is a joke. . .if she becomes the leader the red party is done like a fried barracuda stake. . . WAP!!

Posted 30 March 2016, 3:12 p.m. Suggest removal

Economist says...

With all due respect to Maurice Moore, he is a has been with old ideas.

What do the youth of the party say?

They are our future and we need to start to listen to them. Yes, there will be one or two young hot heads BUT many of the young are better educated than we are and have new, fresh and innovative ideas.

Just what the FNM and the Country needs.

Posted 30 March 2016, 2:39 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

Why is this news? We know this long time. Ever since Moore told us all we could go jump in the lake.....

He may be a founder but oh how I wish he'd get lost.....

Posted 30 March 2016, 2:41 p.m. Suggest removal

Man forget tobo and boogieboard! Minnis needs to step down because he is a lousy leader! No other reason. If Minnis is the man all his sheep followers say he is then he should do the honorable thing and admit he is in over his head and resign!!

Dr. Minnis please do what's best for the country and resign now.

Posted 30 March 2016, 2:46 p.m. Suggest removal

SO EVERYBODY WHO DON'T SUPPORT LBT WE ALL DUMB, SHEEP OR SOME OTHER DOPPIE THING AYE?

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. . .I agree. . .do the nation a favor. . .give LBT a convention so she can get "dusted off" one more time. . .THEN LET HER SLINK OFF AND JOIN THE PLP. . .BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNOWS SHE WILL NOT SUBMIT AFTER THIS NEXT CUT-TAIL COMING TA SHE AT CONVENTION!!!

Posted 30 March 2016, 3:18 p.m. Suggest removal

DEDDIE says...

Lets suppose Minnis resigns. LBT is not a good option. We can't get equal rights for women in this country and you'll think the average Bahamian will vote for a woman to become Prime Minister. What is so ridiculous, you have women voting against themselves not to obtain equal rights.

Posted 30 March 2016, 3:03 p.m. Suggest removal

Publius says...

Look Maurice Moore. We know what Minnis promised you if he were to become Prime Minister, hence your actions in support of him. But carry on if you think it will get you somewhere. You are making yourself a disservice to the party you helped to form.

Posted 30 March 2016, 3:59 p.m. Suggest removal

Comrades the reds have stopped wearing their red shirts, nor are they prepared to reach into their pockets, if they don't believe they're hearing the truth.
The reds looking in from the outside of the party, don't want hear about party unity and how great things are among reds.
Unfortunately, the reds behind the closed doors at Mackey Street Headquarters, think it's the PLP and the press who did them in by all that negative publicity.
But, on the other hand neither the PLP, nor the press - had to do anything to the reds. Y'all secretly gone done it yourselves.
Red supporters can handle the truth, but can its leadership?

- You Can't Handle the Truth! A Few Good Men 7 8 Movie CLIP 1992 HD -

......///////https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbE2DP2jXoM

Posted 30 March 2016, 4:48 p.m. Suggest removal

This is what I like to see. . .people being fair and balanced!! They will wake up on the morning of May 13th, 2017 and find a DNA Government being sworn in. . .THERE IS VERY SLIM THAT THE PLP WILL EVER SEE THE INSIDE OF THE HOA AGAIN! The press nor the PLP is doing more damage to the FNM than the FNM itself. . .fighting over power like a pack of dogs with one bone!!

As I go about my business on a daily basis, I find that most people rich and poor ARE supporting Doc Minnis and usually rich, white and woman want LBT ( non-super rich females generally don't support LBT)!! However, all are disgusted about the LBT and her group public attempts to "put out" Minnis. . . they look petty and childish. . .and we don't want a government that is petty and childish!!

Every one of them want to be the leader. . .it seems! The FNM fail to realize that we have an alternative to them. . .BUT OUR NEXT GOVERNMENT IS NOT VERY LIKELY TO BE THE PLP! AND IF IT IS TO BECOME THE FNM. . .IS UP TO THEM!! THEY NEED TO GET THEIR SHIP OF STATE IN ORDER!! AND STOP ALL THE FIGHTING IN PUBLIC!!

Posted 31 March 2016, 2:14 p.m. Suggest removal

Bahamians are waiting to hear what Hubert Alexander Ingraham says on this Nygard-Bacon matter .......... and what he knows about the Perry-Brave-Minnis role in the saga ..... that is the "million dollar question"

Posted 30 March 2016, 5:21 p.m. Suggest removal

I say just dissolve the house and bring it all back to we the people! Then it would not matter at all. . .we the people will send those back who we approved. . .and send those packing whom we do not approve!

And how come that other name is left out of the toggie and bobo thing. . .is it because he is a supporter/confidant of LBT. Remember that the meetings between toggie and bobo and pintard took place in his down town office. Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. . .since one of LBT primary associates was a prominent broker in the toggie, bobo and pintard "hooking-up". . . how much did he told her? Should she tell us a fish story too? And if she did not know that bobo and toggie met with one of her close advisors. . . should she be held responsible for the contact?

Posted 1 April 2016, 5:11 p.m. Suggest removal

iamcitizen says...

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

Posted 30 March 2016, 6:04 p.m.