PLP: ‘Evasive Response Raises More Questions’
“We cannot send the message to the world that the Bermuda Government can be influenced by a few perks and trinkets,” Opposition Leader Marc Bean said last night.
Mr Bean was speaking about the Premier and two Cabinet Ministers flying via a private jet to Washington DC, which he called the “latest in a string of debacles” that shows the OBA that is “naive and inexperienced at best, or at worst, believes that it can operate outside the confines of global ethical standards.”
Shadow Minister of Tourism Wayne Furbert questioned the circumstances saying that if Premier Craig Cannonier and Minister of Tourism Shawn Crockwell accepted a private jet ride from a developer bidding on the Club Med property it is “very troubling.”
In response to Mr Furbert’s statement, Premier Cannonier said that he was contacted by a group of interested investors to attend a meeting in Washington D.C, and due to scheduling conflicts, they offered to fly himself along with Attorney General Mark Pettingill and Minister of Tourism & Transport Shawn Crockwell to their location for a one day meeting.
According to the Premier’s press secretary, the trip took place on March 21, 2013.
Mr Bean’s full statement follows below:
The latest in a string of debacles reveals an OBA that is naive and inexperienced at best, or at worst, believes that it can operate outside the confines of global ethical standards.
We note with interest that the Premier has failed yet again to answer serious questions about the conduct of his government. His evasive response to questions surrounding their junket to Washington DC raises even more questions.
Would the OBA have revealed this backroom arrangement if the press had not revealed this? What else are they not telling us?
We cannot use the desire to bring jobs and opportunities for Bermudians as an excuse to toss our good sense and commitment to honesty and integrity out of the window. We cannot send the message to the world that the Bermuda Government can be influenced by a few perks and trinkets.
The Premier and his Ministers must answer the following questions:
1) Have you or any member of your Cabinet or Parliamentary group ever received any flights, gifts or favors from businesses local or foreign who currently hold or are attempting to obtain government contracts?
2) What is the total monetary value of the flights, gifts or favors obtained by you, or any member of your Cabinet or Parliamentary group?
3) Who are the companies, individuals or entities that provided these flights, gifts or favors?
4) What contracts do these companies hold or are currently attempting to obtain from the OBA?
5) What is the nature of the relationship of the OBA, the Premier, members of Cabinet or Parliamentary group with companies, individuals or entities that provided these alleged flights, gifts or favors?
I think a better response by Mr Bean would have been “Let’s hope the meeting was successful”.
I agree….Who pulled more crap over the Bermudian public / taxpayers than the Re-gressive Labour Party(P.L.P.)?
The 3 who should have gone are Mr. Grant Gibbons, Mr. Bob Richards & the Premier. To take Crockwell and Pettingill who know nothing was a stupid move. Although it was free it was a simple perk. Neither of the 2 have any business experience. Please try to do better OBA. If we going to get a free ride please send the people that understand how things are run next time.
You wouldn’t have the lawyer or the tourism minister. That’s why the PLP was such an amateur freakshow I guess.
Take the sand out, it’s clogging up. @ VVVVVV @
XXXX
Stop being a fool, you know very well neither of the 2 people who accompanied the Premier know anything about business or tourism.
What’s this have to do with PLP. I voted for them last election, I made a switch and it’s my democratic right. I’m a swing vote and I’m supporting a new team. If we going to compete send the best from the team we have if you want to beat Miami Heat. Mr. Grant Gibbons and Mr. Bob Richards are business men, Did I vote wrong is correct.
Mr. Crockwell knows nothing about tourism we could have sent Mr. David Dodwell I really don’t care if it’s a conflict of interest because he owns his own hotel, he heads the Tourist Board aka Tourism Authority. Mr. Pettingill last I checked was defending his clients in the Supreme Court for murder.
can Bean or any member of the PLP actually speak of ethics with a straight face? seriously….how about a few trips to Paris for Satellite Conferences or Miami for Environmental Sustainability…..to say nothing of the entourage that traveled along….
This from the political party that has never repudiated Ewart Brown is like the patients taking over the asylum. All very funny except for all the investment money being driven away because of how apparent it is that the Opposition/Government in Waiting are a bunch of self-serving parasites looking out only for themselves.
so glad other people see this…I agree totally with you.
what i dont understand is that when PLP was in Power, they took Advantage of Perks,and Celabritiy Status and the lime Lite,now that are no onger in power and some out of jobs and Social Status they are crying Foul,,Just like Some Bermudians
As long as I am getting everything is OK,,when the the gravy train stops there is a problem,,I dont Agree with a lot of things OBA are doing , but it Appares they are they are trying to get some business done,,not like the PLP they just wanted to look Good,,and see where it got them
You hit the nail on the head by calling it a Gravy Train – now that it is no longer there, the PLP Friends and Family crew are trembling at the thought of having to get real jobs – they would rather destroy the economy (what they left of it) and bring down the rest of us who do work than face up to this. I do not consider this petty behaviour very patriotic or Bermudian and am deeply suspicious that the PLP is in fact being run behind the scenes by an Ewart Brown led Caricom consortium.
I think those would have been classified as plantation questions by the PLP, or at least Dr Brown.
I would say that before those questions get answered by the OBA, they get agreement from Mr Bean that the PLP and each of their members over the last 15 years agree to provide similar answers.
Seems like a lot of “pots” and “kettles” here….
Marc Bean, you are absolutely delusional. To question the purpose of the trip is one thing – to now give it the label of a back-room deal and to state that the Premier and his Ministers received perks and trinkets, in the absence of any evidence of such things, is crossing the line, and showing just how naive and inexperienced YOU are. I am not sure who should sue you first for slander – the Premier and his Ministers or the investors who wanted the meeting.
I notice that again, the PLP has failed to state exactly what part of the Ministerial Code of Conduct was breached. That suggests to me that they are going on nothing more than hot air, and would like nothing better than to see any potential investor turn away from Bermuda, same as with the Morgans Point deal. After reading yesterday the excerpt from that meeting that someone posted, which took place shortly after the PLP came to power, I can fully believe that they are capable of doing the same again. Shocking actually – no one from the PLP should be calling ANYONE inexperienced and naive.
Bean needs to STFU. The PLP questioning ethicss is laughable. Crawl under a rock.
How about explaining why it was okay for Ewart Brown to openly tell IB that PLP ministers should get free rides on their corporate jets and then tell us why it’s not okay for the OBA to accept a ride when their is actually business to be done at the other end.
All you people above are either the same idiot or you sleep in the same house! If someone from the Civil Service had done this he/she would be in front of a firing squad. Government workers are not allowed to accept perks even though Ministers come under a different set of rules, as they see fit. It should be across the board. If an election was called today the OBA would be finished. I voted for you.
The OBA is actually getting things done. Something new to this Island. A ride on a plane is not a perk. You people are acting as though they got payments from these developers or soemthing.
like possession perception is 9/10ths of the law
clearly a bad move by the OBA as demonstrated by all the unnecessary huha
Nah, all the huha is nothing more than the PLP trying to bring up controversy. That’s all they ever do. They get in, run the country in debt while doing many questiobale things, then they get voted out and cry about things.
If the PLP would get in, Bermuda would be finished.
Exactly!
If it was PLP they would have taken the flight and brought back some extra passengers and invite them to stay forever at our expense.
PLP is simply embarrassing themselves by complaining about this. Even I didn’t think they could be this pathetic.
Just call a Commission of Inquiry like you guys originally threatened to do.
Lets clear up all the accusations, of not just this occurrence but of all the alleged shady dealings of the past as well.
Time to clear house IMO. So Mr. Bean please follow through and contact the Brits and get the ball rolling. I’m sure they will have their work cut out for them.
Now it begins!
PLP and OBA don’t know what to do with this country. It is clearly evident.
I work for Government, one time I had to meet a contractor at a site and my vehicle broke down. Just so happened that the contractor was passing by and ended up giving me a lift to the site? They got a lift to a meeting. If the public did not have to pay what business is it of yours or the publics the charges incurred by the owners of the plane. People that own planes are wealthy and one trip isn’t going to dent accounts.
Mr. Premier this should be your answers
1) nope we got a lift to a meeting
2) I don’t know how much their fuel bill is.
3)as stated before it is a company that is interested in Bermuda business opportunities but they are starting to have second thoughts due to the negative connotations associated with their outreach to me.
4) they hold no contracts.
5) strictly professional.
desperate for any attention, the clay-town clown is not alone in his bid to make issue of an effective way to do business at minimal cost to the tax payer. they just don’t get it do they. today’s Parliament session will be wasted on this non-issue but me thinks a ‘surprise’ counter attack is in store
One more remark – it is becoming patently clear that there are numerous PLP ‘Fifth Columns’ in the Civil Service undertaking actions against the democratically elected Overnmrnt of the day. These conspirators must be purged so civil government can progress – start with Kim Wilson’s crony in the AG’s office.
to OBAers, who claim PLP was so unethical…… I say can a thief spot another thief… who is best to spot a thief..
That’s pretty stupid
Are you saying you’re a thief, or you’re not a thief??
Who has the OBA stolen from?
If I reach for my wallet and it’s no longer in my pocket and I see you walking a few feet away from me with a wallet that looks just like mine.. I have a feeling that you might be a thief.
I don’t.. think that makes me thief.
lol, so funny how its only wrong if its done by the PLP. You ubp ppl are too funny.You cant keep this up………..can you?
Go and look again at the notes on the meeting between Hodgson and the rest with the developers for Morgan’s Point. Want a return to that?
Just because the PLP did it is not an excuse.
That said, the PLP’s trips were at the expense of the tax payer.
From a positive point of view it does show that companies feel Bermuda is open again for business.
It’s very reassuring to hear Marc Bean attacking the Premier over this issue (or non-issue). It clearly illustrates that right now the new OBA Government is right on track doing what needs to be done to get on with the business of running the country and trying to stimulate investment in Bermuda. Just to be clear, it’s reassuring because if this is all that Premier Cannonier and his Government can be criticized and attacked for then they are going a great job.
Under a previous administration this would undoubtedly have been labeled as a “plantation” question.
Memo to beanie and the plp and biu,
WE DON’T CARE WHAT YOU THINK!
(ring any bells)
you are all finished,we saw what you all tried to do to Bermuda and you are not wanted,we voted you out.
It is unfortunate that the PLP lacks credibility given its own shortcomings in the ethical arena when in Government. However, that should not detract from what Marc Bean is saying. Come on people. Do you have any idea how damaging corruption is to a society and an economy? I am not saying that this is corrupt behaviour (in fact I am convinced it is not) but this is the thin edge of the wedge and we – the people – have to take a firm line when our politicians start letting the power and perks go to their heads. It is a universal truth that parties in opposition call for greater transparency and higher ethical standards but quickly forget about that when in office. The OBA should respond to this by admitting a lapse of judgment and making a commitment to pass legislation to facilitate open government and ethical standards in line with the rest of the developed world. Believe me, this is even more important than a new hotel and jobs.
PLP PLEASE STOP THIS NON-SENSE!
THE CLUB MED PROPERTY HAS BEEN VACANT FOR YEARS!!! YOUR STUPIDITY IN MAKING THIS A BIG ISSUE WILL ONLY ENSURE IT CONTINUES TO BE VACANT FOR YEARS TO COME!
STOP SCARING POTENTIAL INVESTORS!
HOW SELFISH! WE NEED JOBS AND ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS MAKE POLITICAL POINTS!
LEAVE THE AMERICAN SELFISH STYLE POLITICS BEHIND US!
WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH DESTRUCTION IN THE PAST 14 YEARS…
@Concerned – cherry picking what and who concerns you is a tad hypocritical… as for US style politcs, I ask that you hcast your mind back a few months and recall the significant negative comments from the OBA on the manner in which the PLP governed. Many or most of those comments were accurate and there is absoluely nothing wrong with the PLP keeping the sanctimonious honest…
Get you head out of the sand and see the BIG picture.
Firstly, your comments are not accurate until you describe in detail what Ministerial Code was violated. You’re following all the buffalos of the cliff!
Having not done so, you’re blowing smoke that ultimately can jeopardize ANY potential development of this property, which ALL previous governments have failed to achieve in the past 25 years.
Give us a break and think about if for the sake of Bermudian jobs!
Do us Bermudians ever think before we talk/complain?
Cherry picking NOT!
BTW, we have nearly $3 billion in liabilities (including pensions)!
Every day the same people post on this blog indicating that they do not care what the government does and attempting to justify any percieved wrong doing by raising percieved wrong doing by the previous government. News flash the average citizen does not want to be done wrong by ANYONE!! Everthing that the new government does is not automatically correct and when questioned they must give proper answers. Everyone has a vested interested in the government succeeding but that does not mean that we will tolerate anything. The people voted for BETTER government and we expect to get it!
They did get a better government
Yep “its like night and day”….Mayor Bloomberg
um-um ….but….we…do ….have…better….guvment
a free ride is better than my Tax dollars payin for it…..just ask the SAGE people
yeah but this lot and their supporters can only see the logic in it if they can get a free (bus) ride or free tcd fee..
If an election were held today the OBA would win in a landslide……investments will come to Bermuda because the OBA interests are Bermuda first and not themselves….how many investors walked during the 14 year reign of fiscal terror?
“We cannot send the message to the world that the Bermuda Government can be influenced by a few perks and trinkets,”
I think what Mr. Bean is concerned about is that the standard of requiring alot of perks and trinkets that was estabished by the previous government is being eroded and hard to re-estavlish should he win the next election.
Here is my standard response to Marc Bean. Spice Hill. Spring Benny. Answer the questions or work away in an absence of credibility.
I think the Government love having Marc Bean as opposition leader because he doesn’t seem to have a clue. That’s bad for Bermuda, in the end.
To all who are reading this article/debate for the second time! Here are a few basic questions you need to ask yourself before developing an ‘informed’ opinion!
What are the Ministerial Codes of Conduct that have been broken in this case if any?
Who decides whether the acceptance of a flight to a business meeting, is considered a political gift? The Opposition alone, the Government of the day, you and I or the Ministerial Code of Conduct or relevant policy?
What constitutes something being unethical?
@George & @JT (below)
Do you notice that absolutely noone has been able to answer that question.
“What are the Ministerial Codes of Conduct that have been broken in this case if any?”
Just a lot of verbal diarreah flowing through the blog right now. I wish I knew the answer but it appears that noone else knows the answer either.
Marc Bean is succeeding only in making an utter fool of himself and creating a tempest in a teapot. If he were the Premier (God forbid!!), does anyone believe for a second that he would have turned down this trip to meet with a group of people that are interested in investing in the country?
The the private jet aspect of this meeting is a non-issue and Bean’s efforts to make it one is merely much ado about nothing. To high-stakes investors, this is merely the cost of doing business and would not make much of an impression on anyone who moves in those circles.
@Firefly – One man’s fool is anothers advocate. The PLP’s behaviour during the latter (EB ) years was unacceptable and corectly challenged by many, resulting in a change of government. This matter is on so many levels equally unacceptable and the defense of it by those that strongly argued for change is, well, unacceptable..
I agree with Amazed. All of you blinkered OBA supporters need to think about what might happen if the PLP get back in in 4 years. If the OBA has behaved inapproriately and failed to govern in a principled and transparent manner, then the PLP may think they have a license to return to their old ways. We need to show zero tolerence for this otherwise we will all suffer in the long term.
Zero tolerance for taking back-handers and conflicted self-enrichment? I fully agree. But this wasn’t that. Nobody involved received anything at all of any value at all. The only entity that benefited in this was the Bermudian taxpayer.
It is very obvious. I want to become just like the former govt did. Oh I forgot that they were so clean, honest, open,trustworthy,never ever took favours no matter how small and if they did always told the public. A tempest in a tea pot.
Hmmmm, half baked bean strikes and fails again!!!
Obviously the PLP are not serious and you’ve all fallen for a rather late April fool type thing.
I have to hand it to PLP for filling the horrible void we’ve had in local comedy circles since Not The Um Um hung up theirs scripts.
Marc Bean has the ‘high as a kite’ act down perfectly.
I encourage them to do more comedy – we need stuff to laugh about in these hard times.
FACT – OBA just about won the election.
FACT – The reason OBA are in power is because some people did not like the way PLP conducted themselves and wanted change.
To turn around and do the same things PLP did, with the same attitude is crazy to me. The “….well PLP done it….” really needs to stop. OBA will become a One Term government at this rate. 1/3 of voters did not vote, so OBA has a lot to prove in a little bit of time. Some people that voted for them are really regretting it right now. Craig only has a few more months in office and he is going to do as he pleases just like Brown did
Please tell me when EB got on a private jet TO GO TO A MEETING WITH POTENTIAL INVESTORS. Until then trying to relate the two situations is completely stupid.
About 10,000 or so voters did not vote and some of these dreamers think they conjured a victory. No worries, the clock is ticking.
I’m still waiting for critics to specifically indicate which section(s) of the Ministerial Code of Conduct were broken. Until someone does, and assuming their interpretation is valid, it is safe to say there was no violation.
Are you telling me that if the PLP were in power, Cox and Furbert would not have jumped on that plane in a heartbeat??
Everyone should be happy that people want to now invest in Bermuda and have. Wouldn’t have happened if the PLP were still in power!!
Lets see, which is more of public interest…Harboring men from Cuba and leading the country to think it was a good will gesture, and nothing was gained OR flying to DC on someones private Jet???
Marthas Vineyard must be nice in the summer, just sitting out on the lawn chatting with ex presidents and congressman….
So what did Dr. Brown project to the world when accepting the Uighars without the knowledge of England or his people? Was he not “influenced by a few perks and trinkets”?
From the Royal Gazette
Dr. Brown flies to DC on private jet
By Jonathan Kent, in Washington, DC.
Published Jun 24, 2008 at 12:01 am (Updated Feb 11, 2011 at 1:45 am) The Department of Tourism’s advertising agency offered Premier Ewart Brown a ride to Washington on a private jet, so he could watch the World Cup clash with Trinidad on Sunday and meet US president George W. Bush at the White House yesterday morning.
… Sunday night’s flight was arranged with the help of Don Coleman, of Global Hue, who had an employee on board.
Also on the plane were Dr. Brown, his Press Secretary Glenn Jones and a security official.
The Department of Tourism’s advertising agency offered Premier Ewart Brown a ride to Washington on a private jet, so he could watch the World Cup clash with Trinidad on Sunday and meet US president George W. Bush at the White House yesterday morning.
Sunday night’s flight was arranged with the help of Don Coleman, of Global Hue, who had an employee on board.
Also on the plane were Dr. Brown, his Press Secretary Glenn Jones and a security official.
“A friend offered to give us a ride, one of our tourism partners,” Dr. Brown said. “When they found out I was between a rock and a hard place, either I was going to miss the game or I was going to miss meeting the President, neither of which I wanted to miss, they offered to give us a ride so the Press Secretary, my wife (Wanda Henton Brown), a security official and myself went.
“We have asked the company for an invoice in the amount equivalent to commercial first-class tickets for the three of us and my wife is writing a cheque to the company for her own ticket.”
A statement from Cabinet Office yesterday read: “Although it is not typical for the Premier to travel on country business by private plane, one was utilised on this occasion because there was no viable commercial flight option allowing the Premier to attend the Bermuda versus Trinidad football match on Sunday night at the National Sports Centre and the meeting with President George W. Bush on Monday morning at the White House.
“Both engagements are viewed as having high national importance. Neither engagement could be rescheduled.
“As an added benefit, the non-commercial flight option permitted the Premier to participate in the annual Senior Citizen’ Tea at the Botanical Gardens on Sunday afternoon and a breakfast meeting with former Federal Reserve chairman Dr. Alan Greenspan on Monday morning.”
The plane flew to Washington Dulles Airport. The Bermuda delegation will return to the Island on commercial aircraft.
….and then there was silence
Not that I would really call that unethical, but I fail to see where that article says the words “potential investors”. Global hue had a rep leaving the island, obviously after conducting business which I assume there was already an existing contract. At most I would call it a favour with “no strings attached” that shouldn’t affect the conduct of business, assuming there was an existing contract.
On a side note, thanks LaVerne, that’s probably the most useful post I’ve ever seen from you.
I think we should let this situation play out and see how it goes. Time always tells.
Bermuda was spending big money with Don Coleman. Our money was going out.
These investors “may” want to spend their money in Bermuda. Their money “might” come in.
An elementary distinction.
The difference being that the Department of Tourism granted GlobalHue a contract to ‘a friend’. So when someone who is investing in Bermuda offers transport to discuss putting money into Bermuda it is an entirely different Scenario, we are not paying them tax $$$ to provide a service for us, We are looking into them possible investing in our proposal. There is no ethics issue her especially as they paid for the transport, if a company flies potential clients into the US or any other nation for that matter in order to conduct business it is not a breach of ethics. If you wine and dine them and take them to a sporting event it is still not a breach of ethics as long as it is a business related trip. If you start flying them and their wives around so they can meet personal travel obligations or travel obligations that are not concurrent with the business relationship then that becomes a breach of ethics. It is all about who is benefitting (financially) outside of normal direct business practice.
People are interested in investing in Bda – is anybody listening? If is not costing me/Bermuda money and there is no secret deal on the table – why would I care?
Yep – sounds like the “outside party” is a bit miffed but should we really listen – TCD, Heritage Wharf, Spice Hill, Spring Benny, etc. etc. etc. Who are they to say this is underhanded!!!
This reeks of PLP jealousy, are they trying to stop people investing and building a hotel in Bermuda?? Really!? They would rather the Government fail than benefit Bermuda. It sounds like they are just plain hating and picking at any straw because the party in power is actually doing things and attracting investment to the Island.
They took a flight, paid for by someone wanting to have a business meeting. Under no circumstance is that a breach of ethics in any proportion. Transport to a meeting that is directly related to the business at hand happens every single day in the business world. People send cars, jets even trains to pick up potential clients.
If the Premier was using their private jet for personal travel, then that is unethical.
Believe me, with what Global Hue and Kerwin charged, we paid for Ewart’s jt ride.