FORMER Exuma member of Parliament George Smith has dismissed an accusation from Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts, who accused the former Cabinet minister of leaking information to The Nassau Guardian.

In a statement released to the media, Mr Smith said he would not ordinarily respond to Mr Roberts’ “tirades” but was constrained to clear up the chairman’s accusations. He also said Mr Roberts’ “shoot from the hip” approach is a “disservice” to the PLP.

“I am not the source of the information,” Mr Smith said. “ . . . It is not my style to give an opinion to the press, request anonymity; then hide under a rock.

“I joined the Eastern Branch of the Progressive Liberal Party in 1961. I attended my first convention in 1964. When others, in 1967, were assisting the UBP in doing all they could to hold onto power, Livingstone Coakley and I took the fight for Majority Rule against a powerful UBP in Exuma.

“For the following seven general elections, I was a standard bearer for the party winning six consecutive elections through 1992. After leaving the House (of Assembly) in 1997, I continued to contribute to party campaigns, in bye-elections and in the general elections of 2002, 2007 and 2012. ‘Not been actively involved?’ What rubbish.”

Bradley Roberts’ ‘shoot from the hip’ approach does the PLP a disservice.

“I, like many Bahamians, do predictions of the possible outcome as we near elections. I would share my analysis with a close circle (all PLPs) and invite their reaction. I did this after the 2017 Constituencies Commission report - in some areas we agreed and in some we disagreed.

“As for my active involvement in the PLP, who in the hell gave Bradley Roberts the right to determine when anyone’s involvement in their party ceases?”

Mr Smith said his record in public office will speak for itself, adding that he has a “pleasant and respectful” relationship with the PLP’s leader and deputy leader.

He also said he is still convinced that the PLP is “the best party to govern” the country, but urged party members, including leaders, “to put aside all pettiness, arrogance and aloofness and put on the armour of humility.”

On Sunday, Mr Roberts dismissed an opinion piece published in The Nassau Guardian last week as “fake news,” while also accusing Mr Smith of allegedly supplying the information in the report to the newspaper.

He also said Mr Smith is not actively involved in the PLP.

The report in question, published in The Guardian’s National Review section, said the PLP predicted a win of 14 out of 39 constituencies thus far, based on information supplied by a source.