PLP: Pettingill should resign

Statement by PLP Leader Marc Bean

The OBA's term in office has been plagued with questions, controversy and coverup, with a significant portion centered around the Attorney General, Mark Pettingill.

 In his latest controversy, the Attorney General in an anti-religious tirade referred to members of the Christian community as "Kool Aid drinkers," described them as, "aren’t prepared to have any critical thought," and demanded that they, "get up and leave and go somewhere else." These statements are vile and indefensible and the AG should do the right thing and resign immediately.

 The performance to date of the Attorney General has been wholly unacceptable.  Over the first six months as the Bermuda's leading legal figure he has:

 • Refused to answer questions and potentially breached proper hiring practices when hiring a former colleague as his new personal assistant in the Attorney General's chambers;

 • Gave incorrect legal advice to the Minister of Tourism and Transport by claiming that the Minister had the power to hear appeals on seniors unable to meet the OBA's higher vehicle licensing fee

 • Failed to advise the Premier that he would breach the code of conduct by accepting travel on a private jet and a free vacation to discuss government business

 • Spoke in derogatory terms about the faith of many law abiding citizens in Bermuda

 The Premier's failure to address the matter - deeming that the Attorney General was speaking privately, now calls into question Premier Cannonier's judgement. Once again, the Premier has run and hid from the responsibility of disciplining one of his Ministers.  The Premier found it necessary to distance himself from the AG's vile and disgusting remarks, yet lacked the courage and integrity to send a clear message that intolerance, religious bigotry and contempt for Bermudians, have no place in the ranks of the OBA.

 The Premier's attempt to downplay and duck responsibility for the AG's anti-Christian tirade is yet another example of his inadequacies as a leader.

 Under the Westminster System a Cabinet Minister is bound by collective responsibility and isn't permitted to speak as an individual.  The Premier should know this, the AG should know this and Bermuda deserves better.  We call on the Premier to stand up, take control of his Cabinet and fire Mr. Marc Pettingill.  Failure to act can only be interpreted in one way; supporting the intolerant beliefs and incompetent performance of AG Pettingill.