ISSUED BY RAYNARD RIGBY
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE PLP
DATE: Wednesday 7th April, 2004

"Stubbs' Bankruptcy is a personal matter"

The Progressive Liberal Party is watching closely the bankruptcy matter involving the Member of Parliament for Holy Cross, Mr. Sidney Stubbs.  In this, as in all other matters, the PLP remains committed to following both the spirit and the letter of the law and as a member of the Party we will support him in his efforts to bring an end to this personal matter.
 
The public should be aware that as the issue of bankruptcy is at the most personal level to the MP as an individual, the party has contacted Mr. Stubbs in its own investigation of the matter.  Mr. Stubbs has assured the Party that the debt has been satisfied.  The Party continues to watch the developments in this matter.  In the meantime, the Party has ensured that the needs of the constituents of Holy Cross are being addressed.
 
Again, as the Party continues to monitor the disposition of the matter involving Mr. Stubbs, the Party and all its officers must and will remain committed to the highest standards and to the letter and spirit of the laws of The Bahamas.
 
We add that the FNM should be mindful that they cannot receive through this process what they could not achieve honestly at the ballot box.  The Constitution does not prescribe the recall of a Member of Parliament.

In fact, the Constitution has a very clear and concise procedure for what must transpire when a sitting Member is declared bankrupt. It must be seen that the process is respected in this instant as with all others. It is therefore inappropriate for the FNM to demand the resignation of Mr. Stubbs. The Constitution does not call for the seat to be immediately or automatically vacated. And, this PLP will accept no lectures from a party which itself is steeped in deceit and one that presided over some of the most egregious examples of corruption ever seen in Bahamian politics.
 
Furthermore, the matter of Mr. Stubbs bankruptcy is personal to him. And the PLP has afforded him an opportunity to deal with and to address his personal matter in strict accordance with the letter and the spirit of the Law.