The Leader of the Opposition, Michael Pintard, has called for the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Philip Davis, to make a public and full apology to those who were accused by him of financial irregularity and potential fraud in relation to the National Food Distribution Task Force.
In his press statement, Mr. Pintard noted that the Prime Minister weaponized misinformation about the Task Force, “a program that fed thousands of Bahamian families during [the COVID-19 pandemic], one of the darkest times in our nation’s history.” Mr. Davis [weaponized] “the machinery of the state to intimidate and humiliate private citizens.”
He also noted: “The Auditor General’s report confirms that every dollar disbursed to the Task Force was properly accounted for. The report even praised the Task Force and its partners.”
An apology is needed to specific individuals, to the Task Force, to the Bahamian people, and to the House of Assembly. But considerably more is needed. There are many questions that need to be answered in the interest of protecting our democracy and the rule of law, and to defend against the abuse of state power.
Where did the misinformation and falsehoods come from in the first instance? Who gave the Prime Minister this blatantly false information? Will this individual or these individuals be held accountable by a prime minister who has continuously failed the test of accountability personally and continuously for himself, cabinet ministers, and staff at the Office of the Prime Minister?
After the Prime Minister attacked the Task Force and its Chairperson on the floor of the House of Assembly, he was warned and advised privately and publicly to desist from his baseless attacks. Instead of restraint, good judgment, and basic decency, he continued his vile attacks on people of integrity.
A lawyer of many decades and a King’s Counsel, Mr. Davis knows better. As in matters before the courts, he could have waited for due process, proper evidence, and adjudication, all of which the Auditor General demonstrated. Why did Mr. Davis engage in such vicious behavior, preempting proper process?
The Chairperson of the Task Force reports that she was arrested by four individuals who showed no identification upon her arrest. Does Mr. Davis condone this? If he remains silent, the answer would appear to be yes.
This abuse of power should frighten all Bahamians, regardless of party. Mr. Davis abused his office by attacking members of the Task Force who could not respond to him in the House. Why did those who arrested the Chairperson refuse to show identification, which happens in non-democratic and dictatorial governments?
Was Mr. Davis aware of this? Will his government investigate this grave matter?
Was the then Commissioner of Police, Mr. Clayton Fernander, who has been appointed to represent The Bahamas as a diplomat overseas after his well-known failures and resignation from his previous office, aware of this? Did Mr. Fernander order the arrest? On what evidence? Who instructed him on this matter?
The abuse of private citizens from the floor of the House, a detention made by individuals based on false information, and who did not show identification, constitutes a pattern of abuse.
Is it now a pattern of abuse of power that may be directed at any Bahamian citizen by this government at any time? The pattern of abuse continues as Mr. Davis has failed to publicly and fully correct the record, issue an unreserved apology, and answer questions about these grave offences.
Any deflection by him on this matter by pointing fingers at others will be an attempt to escape responsibility. It will further add insult to the grave injury and harm he has caused.
The apologies must not be half-hearted, contrived, and limited to the usual, “If I have offended someone.” If Philip Davis, KC, refuses to apologize and investigate this matter, it will be a major stain on his prime ministership and his government. Consequently, the historical record will recall this gross and uncorrected abuse of power by Mr. Davis.