The Member of Parliament for the Carmichael Constituency and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works John Carey is contemplating his political future following what has been described as a major confrontation with Anita Bernard, the permanent secretary in that Ministry.
The Journal has confirmed that an irate Mr. Carey made incendiary remarks to Mrs. Bernard when she gave instructions to have his official car, which was in the possession of a junior employee of the Ministry, towed.
Mr. Carey, who was off the island, left the government vehicle in the personal care of the employee with the instruction to collect him from the airport upon his arrival.
When the MP returned, he was reportedly informed that the permanent secretary had given the instruction.
This is when, according to a source, “all hell broke loose.”
The tiff between the permanent secretary and the MP was so intense that the Minister of Works Bradley Roberts intervened and suggested to Mr. Carey that he stay away from the Ministry.
It is further reported that the MP contemplated resigning. However, he informed the Journal on Friday that he did not resign his position.
In fact, he said any suggestion of that was “absolute nonsense.”
The prime minister has been informed of the altercation and has reportedly dissuaded Mr. Carey from resigning.
It is well known among his parliamentary colleagues that Mr. Carey is uncomfortable at the Ministry of Works and has requested another assignment from the prime minister.
However, this has not been forthcoming.
He has reportedly had confrontations with several officials in the Ministry of Works and the utility companies.
Mr. Carey was appointed parliamentary secretary upon his election in the May 2002 general elections after winning the constituency over Desmond Bannister of the Free National Movement.
From The Bahama Journal
