Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis defended finance minister, the Hon. Michael Halkitis during the 2026/2027 budget debate in the House of Assembly on Monday.
Members of the Opposition have called for Halkitis’ resignation based on his past affiliation with Top Notch Builders, a company linked to Jonathan Eric Gardiner, who was arrested by US officials after a plane crash on May 12th in connection with drug trafficking charges.
Mr. Davis said, “as the person who appointed him, this matter having arisen, I’m satisfied, whether any on the other side may be or otherwise, I’m satisfied, as the person whose Cabinet he sits, that there is nothing neither immoral, unethical or otherwise illegal about the conduct of which they complain.”
The Prime Minister told Parliamentarians that the issue is a matter of controversy created by the opposition members. He said, “we’re not going to respond to it. I just want, in this Parliament, that the matter be put to the Privilege Committee in the context that if the member is found wanting he be dealt with under the rules of the House.”
Addressing the Speaker, the Prime Minister said his administration does not intend to be distracted by salacious and otherwise insidious innuendos raised by opposition members.
The Prime Minister’s comments came after Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama, Kwasi Thompson questioned the issue during his contribution to the budget debate.
