Thursday, April 4, 2024
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said he was “irritated” about journalists contacting him about whether he had met the deadline for public disclosures, saying he thought “none of your business” in response to questions on the matter.
Mr Mitchell’s comments came during his contribution in the morning session of the House of Assembly where he said he supports the Public Disclosure Act, going on to recall when the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) “almost broke apart” in 1976 due to former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling’s efforts to place the public disclosure bill.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs responded to former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ quotes on an extension that was granted to March 31, with Dr Minnis saying the need for an extension led to “people treating it as a joke”.
Mr Mitchell denied this, saying: “I want to assure the public that I take this matter deadly serious and I conform to the law as do all of my colleagues, we conform to the law.
“The Public Disclosure Commission has all the powers which it requires, if it needs to investigate anybody’s disclosure and can do so, free to look up and down inside and out, I ain’t got nothing no how, so. I just wanted to make that point.”
He reiterated his support for the public disclosure legislation not withstanding his “deposition to the press”.
Later during the evening session of Parliament, Mr Mitchell stood on a point of order to question Dr Minnis on “declaring one’s interest,” as it relates to a company connected to Dr Minnis, who, when asked if he owned the company, responded saying he is familiar with the entity.
Mr Mitchell said the company, as well as Dr Minnis’ father, Randolph Minnis, were beneficiaries of certain tax exemptions, and presented a document to Parliament with intentions to table it in the House.
Dr Minnis prompted Minister Mitchell to table the document, to which Mr Mitchell asked: “I just wanted the member to say whether or not he is aware that these were beneficiaries of those exemptions because that’s what this table says, since you are a direct beneficiary of it, ought you not to have declared your interest when you spoke this whole policy?”
Dr Minnis responded saying he is not familiar with his father’s business adding that his father and family’s business has nothing to do with him.
According to the Public Disclosure Act, the penalty for not disclosing is a $10,000 fine and/or up to two years in prison.
Comments
John says...
Sounds like ole Fweddy losing his brains
Posted 4 April 2024, 10:18 a.m. Suggest removal
DillyTree says...
Mr. Mitchell would do well to remember he works for the people of the Bahamas -- as do the rest of these elected (and appointed) government officials. .
Yes, we, the Bahamian people, have the right to require the people that work for us to be transparent and file their financial disclosures, as is required by law.
When will our government be held accountable? Sorry state of affairs indeed.
Besides, what are you so afraid of, Mr. Mitchell? Being transparent or filing a false disclosure?
Posted 4 April 2024, 10:43 a.m. Suggest removal
moncurcool says...
Exactly,
These dudes forget that in public service it is the business of the public.
That is why this dude is not for the Freedom of Information Act.
2026 cannot come soon enough. Time for them to go permanently.
Posted 4 April 2024, 12:11 p.m. Suggest removal
bahamianson says...
Mitchell sounds like Donald Trump.
Posted 4 April 2024, 10:47 a.m. Suggest removal
hrysippus says...
I am left wondering just what Mr. Mitchell fails to understand about the words "public disclosure"? Is it the public bit or the disclosure one that he has trouble understanding, because it certainly is our business according to the legislation passed by the plp administration many years ago.
Posted 4 April 2024, 11:19 a.m. Suggest removal
moncurcool says...
Guess he is having early stages of Alzheimers.
But that is what dictators do. They believe the public should not only do and know what they are told. Neve question.
Posted 4 April 2024, 12:12 p.m. Suggest removal
AnObserver says...
It is a public disclosure. See that first word in the name there? Public? That means it specifically *is* our business. If it were a private disclosure, then it would be none of our business.
Posted 4 April 2024, 12:34 p.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
Comrade Mitchell, stumbling in taking the position that his service as a House-seated MP --- Is not a popoulaes' trust. --- Good Day!
Posted 4 April 2024, 1:28 p.m. Suggest removal
Honestman says...
The arrogance of the man hasn't abated with age. Fred Mitchell represents everything that is wrong with politics in this country. Dinosaurs like him should discarded from the political scene and replaced by our best young leaders. It is sad however that our young upcoming leaders wouldn't want their reputations tarnished by getting involved in the mucky world of Bahamian politics.
Posted 4 April 2024, 1:28 p.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
Fweddy should not be allowed to sit in Parliament .......... those dumb asses in Fox Hill put a communist in Parliament ....................... A petticoat tyrant
Posted 4 April 2024, 2:49 p.m. Suggest removal
stillwaters says...
What?.....petticoat tyrant (love that description) or just a grouchy old .....ummmm...person
Posted 4 April 2024, 3:35 p.m. Suggest removal
themessenger says...
The epitome of political arrogance, all for me baby at its best!
Posted 4 April 2024, 4:59 p.m. Suggest removal
realitycheck242 says...
When a cabinet minister makes a statement as stupid as "none of your business" It shows that arrogance, a sense of entitlement, Corruption, misguided, and all the words that say he should not be in office because he has forgotten his responsibility to the Bahamian people as a public servant.... but no surprise here... this is what PLP's with week leadership does.
Posted 4 April 2024, 5:07 p.m. Suggest removal
BONEFISH says...
Mr. Mitchell is a petulant child. Arrogant and conceited. Lacking humility and common sense.
Posted 4 April 2024, 8:54 p.m. Suggest removal
rosiepi says...
My Father recently retired as a barrister in Ontario was dining with me at Dune in 2008 when Mitchell swept in surrounded by his entourage.
After they were seated and feted Dad leaned over and dryly asked me that guy thought he was the King of The Bahamas.
I laughed and replied ‘well he lost his seat in the last election, but he’s still the Queen!”
Posted 5 April 2024, 8:47 a.m. Suggest removal
birdiestrachan says...
He said something more important he stated at the Hyatt he was walking 200 am they were cleaning the walk way and all of the workers were Haitians the government collects 100 million from work permits but they gave bones for folks to chew and they miss the important matters,
Posted 5 April 2024, 12:02 p.m. Suggest removal
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