Warring MPs no closer to burying the hatchet
A One Bermuda Alliance MP said he has requested a meeting with the Minister of Economy and Labour in the wake of a furore over his comments in the House of Assembly.
Douglas De Couto, the Shadow Minister of Finance, told The Royal Gazette he had extended invitations to speak to Jason Hayward since they traded words last Friday, but to no avail.
It came after an exchange in the House during the motion to adjourn when Dr De Couto levelled several allegations against the Government, claiming that it had unduly favoured an investor and companies.
Dr De Couto said yesterday: “I would welcome an opportunity to speak one-on-one with the minister, as I believe we would be able to resolve the issues as two Bermudians concerned about their country’s future.”
Zane DeSilva, the deputy leader of the Progressive Labour Party, issued a statement this week condemning “false, vitriolic, personal attacks on the character and integrity of members of our government”.
Mr DeSilva, who is the Deputy Premier, insisted that no “special treatment” had been granted to “anyone outside of what is already public, transparent and aligned with Bermuda’s economic interests”.
He said Dr De Couto’s allegations had threatened investor confidence and undermined tourism.
Mr DeSilva also accused the opposition MP of stooping to “the racially coded, dog-whistle politics of the OBA which attempts to cast suspicion on a government led by Black Bermudians by implying corruption without ever proving wrongdoing”.
The war of words came in the wake of the parliamentary sitting, when Dr De Couto accused the Government of “suffering from severe regulatory capture by an outfit called Gencom”.
He added: “Let’s start off with Tucker’s Point and, in my personal view, Gencom enjoyed the benefit of severe regulatory arbitrage up there — ie, they were allowed to do things because of changes in regulations made by the Government’s special dispensations, waivers and so forth; environmental waivers given for them that were not in the normal course of the laws and regulations.”
He alleged that the company was able to “unlock millions of dollars in value and to sell off property and build”.
David Burt, the Premier, objected and accused Dr De Couto of “completely misleading” legislators saying that the opposition MP was referring to matters dating back to 2011 and earlier owners of the site.
He said that the decisions made then were supported on a bipartisan basis and “ventilated inside of the legislation”.
Dr De Couto claimed that the matter could be put aside “because there’s other examples”.
He continued that the company had been granted a “sweetheart” deal relating to the financing arrangement for the redevelopment of the Fairmont Southampton.
“That deal was so good for Gencom it’s as if they had senior government officials over a barrel,” he said.
Mr DeSilva asked for clarification on the comment.
The opposition MP alleged that the Government was out-negotiated by Gencom and was forced to provide financing for the project “that most companies would be pleased to have”.
But Mr Burt responded that the Government had benefited from the “best legal advice” and negotiations for the project, and urged Dr De Couto to justify his claims.
The Premier told the House that what was being said was “not factual”.
Dr De Couto further claimed that senior government officials “have been having cosy champagne brunches” with principals of Gencom.
As he continued, Dr De Couto said “special changes” were made to immigration regulations for the firm to hire Cuban workers to enter the island to work without transit visas.
However, Mr Hayward intervened and said: “There have been no special regulations or changes to immigration laws to allow for workers to come in.”
Dennis Lister, the Speaker of the House, encouraged Dr De Couto to provide evidence for his claims about immigration rules, and cautioned that he had “crossed the line”.
Mr Hayward, who was apparently most offended by the “over a barrel” reference during an emotive motion to adjourn, demanded an apology.
He added: “Don’t accuse me of doing something I’ve never done and painted in this story, to create this notion that I’m benefiting.”
The minister added: “I have to represent this country internationally as a matter of my role.
“I have to deal with businesses and make business decisions that impact people’s livelihood.
“There are no special favours that come from Hayward’s office.
“If there is one man that operates his role with integrity, it’s me.”
He accused Dr De Couto of “doubling down” in the House with inaccuracies.
Mr Hayward said he had been in the public service for 21 years and accused Dr De Couto of painting the Government as “corrupt”.
Mr Lister declined to request an immediate apology, but urged the pair to meet away from the House so that Dr De Couto could make a “private retraction” of his comments.
Mr DeSilva said this week: “Let us be clear and reinforce what the Government has already said and that the Opposition already knows — no special treatment has been granted to anyone outside of what is already public, transparent and aligned with Bermuda’s economic interests.
“No misconduct occurred and the OBA has produced zero evidence to the contrary.
“These allegations threaten investor confidence, undermine the hard work being done to revive tourism and place political games above Bermuda’s recovery.”
The Gazette tried to contact to Mr Hayward for further comment.
• On occasion The Royal Gazette may decide to not allow comments on a story that we deem may inflame sensitivities. As we are legally liable for any libellous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers
• To read Zane DeSilva’s statement in full, see Related Media
