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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 (STB Statement) Smith asks why government is being allowed to shoot the messenger in an attempt to deflect from the real controversy
Outspoken attorney Fred Smith, QC, said he is “totally amazed” at the extent to which the government has been able to deflect from the real issues at the heart of the ongoing Peter Nygard controversy.
Smith, legal director for Save The Bays (STB), called it incredible that so much attention has been brought to bear on false claims regarding the use of the advocacy group’s finances, as well as other irresponsible and unfounded rumors spread by the PLP, when the focus should remain on the very serious allegations of harassment, intimidation, violence and conspiracy to commit murder outlined in a recent court filing.
“Shooting the messenger is the oldest trick in the political book, yet this government continues to get away with it,” he said. “These attacks on us are totally misplaced and part of a brazen and cynical effort to scapegoat a charity group with outlandish accusations admittedly inspired by a Hollywood movie.
“I am totally baffled by the turn of events following our effort to shine a spotlight on the terrifying situation we continue to face. Everyone saw the shocking hate rallies that stained our streets over the last few years; the other evidence in our claim is a matter of public record –there for all to see.
“Yet somehow, it became more important to know whether our investigator had a work permit, how much money our directors make, the contents of our private emails –anything but whether or not an admitted financial backer of the government launched a campaign to harass, intimidate, defame, harm and even kill some of our members with impunity.
“What about other questions, such as: Why did the police never investigate our earlier complaints?Why has Peter Nygard, who has been in the country at least twice since our case was filed, never been questioned? If PLP MPs are so sure of the veracity of their allegations, why do they lack to courage to make them outside Parliament? Why do government minister like Fred Mitchell and Shane Gibson vilify other foreign investors, yet give Nygard a free ride despite his abuse of the prime minister? Surely, Nygard should be the subject of a deportation order long before Bruno Rufa or Sarkis Izmirlian.”
Smith said he is also baffled about why PLP MPs have worked so hard to attack STB when they claim not to owe allegiance to Nygard.
“We launched an action against Peter Nygard and Keod Smith seeking the court’s protection from further aggressive acts. The evidence we gathered reveals many things – including, as it happens, the truth about what a major PLP funder thinks about the party’s leaders.
“This was by no means the focus or intent of our efforts and we could never have predicted the shameful comments by Nygard. If the PLP would like to aim their anger at anyone, certainly it should be at the man who spoke the words.
“Instead, the party has become his defender-in-chief; the front line in a ridiculous charade intended to discredit those who dare challenge the Master of Nygard Cay. I find this whole situation perverse and surreal –it’s like a bad episode of the Twilight Zone.”
Regarding the suggestion that STB’s real aim was to implicate the government in corruption, Smith said while this was clearly not the case, if the unsavory relationship between unregulated developers and successive governments happened to be exposed, so much the better.
“It is beyond preposterous. You would have to believe that we complained to police about multiple hate rallies; launched a year-long investigation conducted ex-FBI and Scotland Yard investigators; collected months worth of evidence and undertook a detailed court filing – all on the off chance Nygard might say some mean things about Perry Christie. Next, it will be that we organized the hate rallies ourselves and coached Nygard in what to say in recordings,” he said.
“At the same time, had it been the case that corruption was revealed –and we do not say that it was – clearly this would have been in the public interest. Corruption in high places is a bad example for the citizenry, bad for the body politic and terrible for our reputation abroad.
“ STB has repeatedly denounced the unsavory relationship between local politicians with open palms and foreign investors with deep pockets and high expectations. Unfortunately, this country has no independent attorney general, and it seems no political will, so the long promised anti-corruption laws have yet to be put into place.”
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