Parties in election row over disclosures of interest
A war of words has broken out between the Progressive Labour Party and the One Bermuda Alliance over election candidate disclosure of interest regulations.
The PLP charged that three OBA candidates failed to declare before a deadline that they had interests in contracts linked to public entities after they registered to run in the February 18 election.
A notice published in yesterday’s edition of TheRoyal Gazette declared that Victoria Cunningham, Scott Pearman and Dion Smith had links to contracts related to various government organisations.
According to the Bermuda Constitution, interests must be declared within seven days of nomination, which was held on January 31.
The OBA subsequently apologised, saying the party had operated under the mistaken belief that the stipulation referred to working days rather than calendar days.
Its published legal notice stated that Ms Cunningham, who is standing in Warwick West (Constituency 28), has a contract with Bermuda College as an adjunct lecturer.
Mr Pearman, aiming to hold Paget East (Constituency 22), is a director of a company that has cleaning contracts with the Government.
Mr Smith, who is running in Warwick North Central (Constituency 27), has IT contracts with a number of government quangos, and also the Bermuda Police Service and CedarBridge Academy.
Yesterday, the PLP claimed that the three OBA candidates could be disqualified from running in the election after missing the seven-day deadline, which, according to the PLP, was February 7.
The OBA hit back, claiming that the declarations were filed on time, and that the PLP was attempting to “stir the emotions of the electorate”.
Lynne Woolridge, the chairwoman of the OBA, said yesterday: “The Progressive Labour Party is obviously trying to stir the emotions of the electorate unnecessarily.
“Contrary to the party’s assertion, the One Bermuda Alliance did file its declarations on time.
“We had seven days to disclose pertinent information and we did so.”
She accused the part of creating “rhetoric to make us look bad”.
However Ms Woolridge later clarified: “Our team was working under the mistaken belief that the deadline was seven working days after nomination day.
“On that basis, we believed we were in compliance with the rules.
“As a party that puts integrity in everything we do, we acknowledge our error. However, the purpose of the disclosure was to inform the public and that disclosure has happened in The Royal Gazette for all to see.”
Owen Darrell, the PLP candidate for Pembroke East (Constituency 15), said last night: “The One Bermuda Alliance can say whatever they want, but the fact is their declaration only appeared today.
“The law does not count Sundays or public holidays, therefore, as their declarations were published today, that means they were filed nine days after nomination day, which is two days after the deadline.
“If the OBA did publish the declarations by February 8, show Bermuda the receipts.
“They are not in the Official Gazette, and we have not seen them in a newspaper before today.”
Mr Darrell said that the OBA either “followed the constitution, or they did not”.
He added: “If they did, they should prove to the people that they filed their declarations on time as required.”
The PLP said earlier that the timing of the public disclosure meant that three of the OBA’s candidates “may now be disqualified from contesting the upcoming General Election”.
Section 30(6) of the Bermuda Constitution Order 1968 states: “Subject to such exceptions and limitations as may be prescribed by the Legislature, a person shall not be qualified to be elected as a member of the House of Assembly if he has an interest in any government contract and has not, within seven days of his nomination as a candidate for election, disclosed the nature of the contract and his interest therein by means of a notice published in the Gazette or in a newspaper published and circulating in Bermuda.”
An earlier legal notice, published in the Gazette on February 7, said that PLP candidates Leroy Bean, Alexa Lightbourne, David Burt, Jaché Adams, Dawn Simmons and Zane DeSilva declared interests in government contracts.
Dr Bean is contracted as a consultant to the Ministry of National Security as a gang violence reduction co-ordinator.
Ms Lightbourne, Mr Adams and Ms Simmons, the notice said, are contracted under the Premier, Ministers and Opposition Leader Personal Staffs Act.
Mr Burt, the Premier, was said to be a director and shareholder of GMD Consulting Ltd, that “from time to time, provides IT services to the Government”.
The notice added that Mr DeSilva was a director and shareholder of Island Construction Ltd, which is sometimes contracted to provide construction services to the Government.
OBA candidate Victoria Cunningham revealed last night that she made her declaration of interest in error.
She said she had disclosed that she was a government contractor as an adjunct teacher at the Bermuda College — but later learnt that her contract was terminated last term when the course she taught was completed.
She said: “I am now aware that my contract with Bermuda College was terminated upon the completion of the course I taught last semester.
“I believe that this clarification is crucial in addressing any misunderstandings regarding my status.”
Ms Cunningham accused the PLP of “politicising” the issue and focusing on technicalities rather than key concerns of the electorate.
She said: “It is important to note that the One Bermuda Alliance has acknowledged an administrative error in the filing of certain declarations.
“The PLP has attempted to politicise this issue in a way that detracts from the real concerns that matter to the people of Bermuda.
“The people of Bermuda deserve leadership that puts them first, leadership that addresses our community's pressing issues, promotes economic growth, and strengthens our democracy.
“I stand firm in my commitment to public service and to upholding the values of integrity, transparency and accountability.
“While recent statements from the PLP have focused on certain technicalities regarding government contract declarations, I want to make clear that my focus remains on the people of Bermuda and our collective future.”
Ms Cunningham said she had dedicated her career to educating the island’s youth, adding: “This commitment to teaching and empowering future generations shapes my approach to public service.
“Whether in the classroom or in the political arena, I work with one goal in mind: to serve Bermuda with respect, honesty and dedication.
“As a member of the OBA, I am committed to building a government that is responsive, competent and focused on the needs of our citizens.
“While it is important to meet all legal requirements, my efforts will always centre on ensuring that Bermuda’s future is guided by principles of fairness, transparency and sound governance.
“I remain resolute in my mission to contribute to Bermuda’s progress, and I will continue to serve with the integrity that Bermudians deserve and expect.”
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