After a contentious debate the government majority in Parliament voted overwhelmingly to grant their bankrupt comrade another three months to get his financial affairs in order.
Opposition members vehemently opposed the resolution.
Financially beleaguered MP for Holy Cross, Sydney Strubbs, now has until June 24 to pay off his debts and remove the bankruptcy order than has prevented him from properly representing his constituents for over a year.
In introducing the resolution, government leader in the House, Vincent Peet, said the government was merely upholding Mr. Stubb’s constitutional rights. Peet appeared to be reading from text that someone had written for him.
By contrast, former PM and Member of Parliament for North Abaco, Hubert Ingraham, passionately blasted the government for their irresponsible actions, asking why, if this matter had been so important to them, they did not pursue it over the past six months when they had the chance. Had they done so, there would have been no need of a special session of Parliament, or the controversial third extension.
Independent MP Pierre Dupuch said he was disgusted by the entire process, calling it a, “mockery of the entire system”.
Prime Minister Perry Christie staunchly defended his government’s action saying that Mr. Stubbs should at least be given the same rights of appeal as murderers and drug dealers. He did not respond to the question as to why the government did not address this matter prior to the need for a thrid extension. Many feel the delay was to create more time for Mr. Stubbs to pay off his debts before the matter is addressed by a higher court.
Stubb’s attorney Philip “Brave” Davis indicated that the fight to restore Mr. Stubbs Parliamentary status would now move to the Judicial Committee of the London based Privy Council where he will have his final legal opportunity.
