With the five-week media circus surrounding the death of Anna Nicole Smith’s son culminating with his funeral last week, the FNM yesterday claimed the Bahamas continued to suffer embarrassment because of this situation.
“The country is still being embarrassed by the antics of Anna Nicole Smith with Bahamian Cabinet Minister Shane Gibson acting as a prop in her cheap publicity stunts.” the FNM said in its commentary on the party’s website.
Addressing photos in People magazine of Ms Smith’s ‘wedding’ to her lawyer Howard K Stern – who also claims to be father of her Bahamas-born daughter – the FNM asked what kind of publicity this situation is bringing the Bahamas.
Pointing out that Daniel’s body was still in the morgue at the time the ‘wedding’ took place – and at which Mr Gibson was a guest – the FNM questioned if the government considered this good publicity for the country.
“The wedding takes place on a yacht somewhere off Nassau with Mrs Smith – attired in a flowing white dress and her new husband in a dark suit – jumping into the water.
“Standing next to the couple as they make the plunge is none other than the PLP Minister of Immigration Shane Gibson in short pants and with a pose that speaks eloquently of his anxiousness to see that everything goes right. While the fun and frolic was taking place at sea, the body of Mrs Smith’s son, who died tragically only weeks before, was still lying cold in the morgue.
“And Mr Gibson seems to think it is all fine and good publicity for the Bahamas,” the FNM said.
The party said there were ..precious few Bahamians who believe that this woman is the kind of person we should be encouraging to live among us as permanent residents, much less put her on the fast track for that status.”
This statement is one of many criticisms levelled at the government, and especially Immigration Minister Shane Gibson’s handling of the permanent residency status of the Trimspa spokeswoman.
“Minister Gibson and his Cabinet colleagues gave this ridiculous woman permanent residence status in the Bahamas in record quick time. They tried to pass her off as ‘an investor’ and the kind of person we should be encouraging to come and stay in the Bahamas,” the FNM charged.
Daniel died on September 10 at Doctors Hospital. Two autopsies – both public and private – have since been performed on his body.
However, court officials said that they have to await the conclusion of the police investigation before determining if the case will go to the coroner’s court.
At this time, some five weeks after Daniel’s death, the toxicology report has also not yet been completed.
Meanwhile, a local funeral home owner has reportedly expressed concern over the mental state of Ms Smith.
Loretta Butler-Turner, director of Butler’s Funeral Home and Crematorium, reportedly told US media that she was shocked by Ms Smith’s behaviour as she laid her son to rest.
Mrs Butler-Turner was quoted as saying of the former Playmate: “I think reality truly has not set in and she wanted to know if she could take him home and give him a warm bath.”
By KARIN HERIG Tribune Staff Reporter
