“Hot Mic” Catches Minister Using The F-Word
[Updated] In addition to the explosive allegations made in the House of Assembly on Friday, there was another incident that took place, with the recording catching Deputy Premier Michael Dunkley using the f-word.
During the first few minutes of the session’s recording, before the proceedings had gotten underway, Minister Dunkley is heard talking about how the session is starting late.
Minister Dunkley also said, “Starling, Kim Swan, and Cindy Swan, were talking to ZBM on camera for about ten minutes, and I thought to myself, ‘what a waste of f****** film.”
Someone — who is not clear — can be heard laughing after he speaks.
The Minister apologised via Facebook on a thread dedicated to the “hot mic” issue, saying: “Good evening I am just seeing this post and I apologise for the use of the intemperate language in what was a private exchange.”
In response Jonathan Starling, who was referenced by the Minister, said, ”I’m sure many Bermudians would have been disappointed to hear Minister Dunkley insult members of the public – both those involved in the petition for a referendum on casino gambling and those who have signed the petition – and doing so in a way that dishonours the House of Assembly itself.
“I note that Minister Dunkley has posted on Facebook that he apologises for ‘the use of the intemperate language in what was a private exchange’.
“While I don’t think that apology should fully absolve him for what comes across as a contempt for democracy, I personally accept his apology and hope that he works hard to actively promote democracy and constructive discourse going forward.
“As a people, we need to stop engaging in reactionary personal attacks and instead start engaging in more critical thought and constructive discourse if we ever hope to build a democracy which we all desire.
“I hope that, even in some small way, this incident can lead to some positive change,” added Mr. Starling.
Update 5.21pm: The Minister said, “I have reached out to Mr. Swan and Mr. Starling to apologize personally to both gentlemen.
“That said, I have apologized already for what I termed my use of ‘intemperate language in the course of a private exchange’ before the House of Assembly re-started.
“I respect democratic processes as an elected member of the Legislature and I take seriously my oath to uphold them. Like any citizen I am entitled to private views but when those views are inappropriately expressed I am man enough to apologize.
Former Speaker Stanley Lowe used to regularly quote: ‘To err is human, to forgive divine’. I am sure Mr. Swan remembers this from his time in the House as well.”
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- Video:Referendum Petition Presented To Premier | Bernews.com | May 30, 2014
LOL totally agree with all Mr Dunkley’s sentiments! Bunch of time wasters.
Islanders ,lowest common denominator, outrage at protesters, Deputy Premier disrespecting the Democracy of the people, elected officials secretly taping, Premier allegations, O.B.A and their supporters are an embarrassment to this Country and to show how biased the one media is if this was P.L.P and Dr. Brown it would have been half the coverage.
SMFH
This reveals Mr. Dunkley has NO TOLERANCE to hear the views of the general public, if they do not think as he does. He is not respecting the DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS Of individuals to speak to an issue that they believe in..NOt sure I want someone like this to represent me…..It also speaks to a side of his personality that he keeps hidden from the public… The real Mr. Dunkley has not been fully exposed to all.
So business men in suits act like guys on de street, I’m appalled and flabbergasted !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What like Marc Bean???
Usuall cr** from the 2 PLP diehards BT & M
This is not able MR Dunkley’s choice of WORDS, it is more about his lack of respect for persons to express and exercise their DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS on various issues. He seem not to respect anyone whom speaks to an issue they deem important, and stand firm on it. This is bigger than his choice of words…so look up…at the bigger picture here…..
This issue is NOT about the choice of WORDS MR. Dunkley used. Many folks are not concern about his choice of words. Often folks use them daily. Too bad many seem to have overlooked the real issue here, or was it merely an attempt to Deflect by the UBPoba in regards to the real issue?
What is sad is that the UBPoba fans are not able to see the bigger picture. This is more about MR. Dunkley’s lack of respect for individuals Democratic Rights. Folks have the right to support any social issue or social justice issue.
Mr. Dunkley,failed to respect the rights of individuals whom stand up for a particular issue. He shows that he has no tolerant for folks whom engage in fighting for a social issues.
This speaks to the character of Mr. Dunkley that is often hidden from the public.
I agree 100%. I would tell them to their faces and have a good laugh. who doesn’t let a F+++ slip out now and then.
cmbbda,
STOP deflecting from the main issue. Dunkley is noted for doing that all of the time. When he is guilty as sin, he shifts the attention away from himself and on to others. He isn’t a man–is merely a boy who hasn’t grown up. He is another one that needs to be watched closely. He is a master when it comes to using excuses.. He needs to be watched closely-
Play the audio, nice example for our youth.
Oh like you never let an F go or some other curse word out. Geez just a little slack, people are human after all.
Yea, Dunkley went up a few notches in my book. Got some street cred. He’s a normal guy just like the rest of us.
looks like the premier and his deputy need to go
new election
So frank. You think that any tape of any politician swearing should mean he resigns?
Or openly fight each other….
LOL
Dude, you don’t need to play anything, just go to the bus terminal at 3:30… you’ll be lucky if it’s only an “F” you here from the school children!!
Where do you think they learned it from? You can’t blame the youth.
yeah they learned it from politicians, gtfoh. it all starts at home…just continues at school with friends.
Yep. I work with two women in my office who swear like drunken sailors all day. One of them complains about how smartmouthed her young children are. Its amazing how the irony is totally lost on her, or where her children likely got their rudeness from. SMH
SMH you like my screen name don’t you.
LOL
sage,
They learned it from adults. KUSH, The Black Unifier said: “If we fail to parent our children well, someday we will answer to their behaviour.” This is exactly where Bermuda is at as a result of the lack of proper parenting, together with the dis-ease of race-ism–wHITE supremacy.
Sage , Have you heard our youth on the sreets of bda? every other word out of their mouth is the %^&* word…. this word is just an adjective…. so have a great !@#$%^& day.
Must be that demonic possession again.
Typical OBA. Put on one face in front of the cameras and then when they think no one is looking or listening they say something else. Also, whatever happened to the OBA legislation on being able to recall MP’s? Should I assume that it will be another broken election pledge?
It was a private conversation and i’m sure if you asked the minister he would still say that it was a waste of time, of course i’m sure he’d avoid the f word.
Why is it a waste of film?
Because the OBA do not respect the public enough to hold a referendum?
Is it the OBA care less about a petition?
I can speak for the OBA or Mr. Dunkley, but it was a ‘waste of film’ because what more could they possibly have to say? After how many weeks and being in the media pushing the petition why more time?
Why bring the OBA into? I mean I get Mr. Dunkley is an OBA Minister but this comment was made in a private converation so it more than likely the Mr. Dunkley’s personal view, which people are allowed to have.
As the ‘True’,(deputy), Leader of the OBA, his ‘personal’ opinion holds a lot of weight
And yet still not a reason to bring the OBA into it
Typical OBA? You mean typical politicians.
In public Michael Dunkley has always acted like butter won’t melt in his mouth while behind the scenes it’s a different story. He has a totally different side-
Is this like the “street talk” that Bean says he used in a private conversation? Or do you think he never uses the word?
Unfortunately my comment was edited by Bernews (don’t blame them) but if it had been printed in full my point could be validated. He has two sides to him-that is a fact and it isn’t the calm, cool and collected one the public always sees.
Naughty, naughty, naughty. You know better than that. Nobody else up there on the Hill would make such reMarcs now would they.
Classy response from Mr. Starling
What a shame, it’s all starting to go f***ing down hill.
Why are we surprised he looks like he says the f-word all the time.
what is this supposed to mean?
Now THAT is just silly. HOW does someone LOOK like they cuss?
So does Bean.
He did speak the truth. That guy does get a lot of news coverage. There are trees to be hugged somewhere.
What truly amazes me is that OBA supporters will simply brush this off as an “off the cuff” remark from the Minister BUT want to attack a PLP MP for the same – - – really?
This is a very serious problem – - what is good for the goose is good for the gander – - plain and simple.
And the Minister’s apology, as a person who signed and supports the petition, is not accepted.
Q
Which off the cuff remark did the PLP make that we been attacking??
Reminds of me when Marc Bean called all BEST members/supporters nothing but ‘muppets’ for exercising their democratic right.
You’re right Remember when…, so much for “Change”… Right?
Great now we’re all gonna flip out and write articles because an MP used a swear word in a private conversation?
How dare he do such a thing?! (complete sarcasm)
People need grow the f*** up and start dealing with real issues
From most of the MPs people don’t expect any better. Much more is expected from Michael Dunkley & a few others so when he lets one fly, ‘Oh the scandal of it all’. Wait for it. Somebody will want him to resign.
According to VSB this morning, Kim Swan already does.
And I’m supposed to have faith that the OBA… pshh! bunch of jokers buh
Where is Betty? According to her reading of the law, the recording of a conversation without prior agreement is breaking the law. Obviously he did not know he was being recorded.
Betty, where are you?
Ahhh he had on a mic that at some stage between the time he put it on and the time he took it off, he not only knew it was there but that, the reason it was there was for the purpose of transmitting the words that were coming out of his mouth.
But he was obviously not aware he was being recorded. Betty says that’s illegal.
Betty, come and give us another good laugh! Tell us about the Telecoms Act.
‘Private exchanges’ are becoming less and less private…
‘hot mics’, ‘wired MPs’, ‘digitized recorders’…
What next – full digital recordings and You Tube postings!!
It is only what is in that can come out!!
.. a man speaketh from the abundance of his heart!!
Bring out the “Nandi” tape.Come on Craig,grow some testicles and release it!
Much ado about nothing…as if the people raising such a hue and cry have never dropped an F Bomb in their lives. Its usage is so common in Bermuda that I’m surprised anyone even noticed it coming from Dunkley’s lips.
Nice one Michael, finally confirming you are human…
I can see him saying that… So funny to me, what is the big deal? I don’t think he needs to apologize.
he was right,it was a waste of effing film..
who dont use the eff word
So f……. what. He cursed. I guess he is the only politician to do that.
I will take Min Dunkley dropping an F bomb over the former min staring a punch up in the House!!!!
At least he didn’t fight a fellow MP!
Most people would be more interested in viewing the tape of the Championship fight between Scott and Burgess.
I agree with you Michael…what a waste of ……. film…
Oh my, Minister Dunkley is human.
Televise the house and all party meetings. Let us judge these politicians and parties by their character instead of the tv face we get.
LOL
To be fair Mr.Dunkley has a point – why anyone listens to what Jonathan Starling has to say is beyond me. I probably would have dropped more than an F Bomb when referring to Jonathan Starling…………
what dunkley said was ‘reckless and not thought through’.
Its ok to say ‘house ******” but to say F*** its bad! U Betty Trump have a selective memory um convinced! No need to reply back 2 me cuz I DONT CARE WHAT U THINK!!!
I think that the entire House should RESIGN, yes, both parties totally. We must be the envie of Ringling Bros clown college or any clown school in the world. A real bunch of total misfits. I am totally disgusted with BOTH parties behavior and antics, and Then we need to look at some of the deranged contributors to this. GOD SAVE BERMUDA because we can’t save ourselves.
Ringling Bros. Clown college. Don’t kill me.
If you don’t let loose a cuss word every now and then you aint human.
This issue is NOT about the choice of WORDS MR. Dunkley used. Many folks are not concern about his choice of words. Often folks use them daily. Too bad many seem to have overlooked the real issue here, or was it merely an attempt to Deflect by the UBPoba in regards to the real issue?
What is sad is that the UBPoba fans are not able to see the bigger picture. This is more about MR. Dunkley’s lack of respect for individuals Democratic Rights. Folks have the right to support any social issue or social justice issue.
Mr. Dunkley,failed to respect the rights of individuals whom stand up for a particular issue. He shows that he has no tolerant for folks whom engage in fighting for a social issues.
This speaks to the character of Mr. Dunkley that is often hidden from the public.
What if an MP got another MP into a headlock in the House of Assembly, Betty?
What would that say about their character?
And can you comment on the legality of the recording?
Now now, don’t be questioning Betty’s selective memory or morals. That is being insensitive.
I could care less how mary forks used – who care’s – well I guess the Political fanatics do’
all I want is the current economic and unemployment situation dealt with –