Members of the Free National Movement (FNM), led by Leader of the Opposition, Michael Pintard called for the resignation of Minister of Finance, the Hon. Michael Halkitis on Monday outside of the House of Assembly.
FNM Chairman, Duane Sands said, “we find it astounding that this administration feels that he is a fit and proper person to run the exchequer, the finances of this country. He needs to resign and his gat to resign today.
These comments stem from Halkitis’ previous involvement in a company linked to Jonathan Eric Gardiner who was arrested by US officials on May 12th in connection with drug trafficking charges. Gardiner was rescued at sea along with others after the plane they were on crashed. Halkitis spoke to his ties with the company at a press briefing on May 28th. He said he was a director in Top Notch Builders while in private life.
Pintard told reporters on Monday, “he was a former Member of Parliament for Golden Isles where the company is resident, where the company is also doing a major project that was the subject of a lot of controversy that is the housing project Renaissance so certainly he knows who all the players are.”
The Opposition Leader also called for the resignation of West Grand Bahama MP, Kingsley Smith. Smith has been linked to the plane that crashed on May 12th. This as questions remain as to the identity of Politician-1, a moniker given to the politician whose name was redacted on an envelope containing $30,000 cash found in the possession of Gardiner when he was arrested.
Neither Halkitis or Smith offered comment. However, Halkitis supporter Prince Kinlock said, “we stand with Michael Halkitis and we’ll continue to stand with Michael Halkitis, no matter what. He’s a great MP. He’s a great Cabinet Minister. We stood with him for the last four and a half years. We’re going to continue to stand with him for the next five years.”
