Minister Explains GP Plates/Security Confusion
Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin clarified her statement about GP plates on Cabinet Minister’s cars being removed due to safety threats, apologising to House of Assembly for what she called a “statement that was made in good faith, but just mistaken.”
Speaking in the House of Assembly on Wednesday [Mar 5], Minister Gordon-Pamplin said, “When I have been made aware that there are threats to safety of Ministers, that it is important to ensure that we try to minimise those challenges as much as we possibly can.
“And as a result of that, some of the licence plates have actually been changed from GP to a regular civilian plate number.”
“But there are things that need to be done in consultation with Special Branch and other parts of security forces that give us recommendations. And we will be foolhardy if we did not follow these recommendations,” added the Minister.
The Minister later told ZBM that, “The information that I had initially indicated that recommendation came from the Police Department, but I have been advised by the Police that they actually did not.
“I am now delving in to where the actual instruction came from, because clearly the Department acted on that information….so I have yet to get to the bottom of it.”
Speaking again in the House on Friday [Mar 7], the Minister explained the confusion, saying, ”I rise to apologize to this Honourable House for a statement that was made in good faith, but just mistaken.”
Audio of part of Minister Gordon Pamplin’s comments in the House on Friday
Minister Gordon Pamplin said, “I indicated that we were talking of the issue respecting GP for license plates. And I made the comment in response to a question by the Opposition Leader as to where such threats were coming from. And I said, ‘Special Branch.’ Mr. Speaker, at that point, there was much banter and there has been a lot of to-ing and fro-ing in the public domain subsequent to that statement.
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to be able to reiterate a couple of things because I have never been accused – I’ve been accused of a lot of things – but not telling the truth has never been one of them.
“So I understand what the Honourable Minister said when he stood to say what the Ministerial code of conduct dictates. And you can be assured, Mr. Speaker, that I will always comply with that code of conduct in terms of speaking the truth.
“Mr. Speaker, let me say that I had received, on the 18th of February, an email which came to me through the administrative process by my PS at the time… acting PS, in fact. And the subject was the exchange of GP plate license numbers.
“That email was sent to me saying that, “please note that there is a request concerning this exchange. I see no problem in granting the request, but wanted to ensure that you were aware of what was being done.”
“And I responded by saying, “I agree.”
“The email that had been forwarded to me at that time, Mr. Speaker, had a sensitivity of confidential. I am very mindful, and I do ask Honourable Members, that I will give you the basis of this email, but I will not say from where it came because I believe that that’s important. I don’t mind sharing that information offline. I will not do it online.
“But the email that came, that was forwarded to me by the PS, indicated that there was a liaison with the BPS intelligence section. I responded, “Special Branch.” I believed that they were one and the same. I was made to understand that they are different, that the BPS intelligence section is not the Special Branch.
“But that email effectively says that it has been recommended that the license plate number be exchanged to a private number. And that was what caused the PS to send me that information and for me to say that I agreed.
“So Mr. Speaker, the issue that I was speaking to should, in fact, have focused far more on the issue of the license plates and not any threats that might have emanated, because it was very clear, and I have been roundly, soundly admonished in that regard, to remind me that matters of security are the full responsibility of the Bermuda Police Service who do yeoman’s service in the protection of each and every one of us as members of this honorable House of Assembly.
“It is their responsibility first and foremost. It is, certainly, the responsibility of the Minister of National Security who has delegated responsibility and, ultimately, the responsibility of the Governor.
“So, by delving into areas of national security, I accept and acknowledge that I have overstepped my bounds and for that purpose, Mr. Speaker, I rise to apologize to this Honourable House for a statement that was made in good faith, but just mistaken. And I have no problem acknowledging that,” added the Minister.
Poor Patricia.
SB don’t know difference between Special Branch and intelligence section.
Sorta like the FBI/CIA/Local law enforcement.
Consult Dunkley. He should know the channels.
In my clairvoyant opinion, I suggest PCC may faint in the HOA just before they break from the budget session. Just for humour, allow me, please, a little chuckle for a Monday.
•
Burt: Point of order Mr. Speaker, Point of Order, that member is misleading the house.
PCC: But I have stated I won’t answer that question cause it could prejudice me
Speaker: Take you seat Premier. What’s your point of order Mr. Burt?
Burt: Mr. Speaker, the PCC is misleading this house, I never said that. Mr. Speaker please remind the Premier my question is a non sub judisea question “when last was he was in contact”
Before PLP Burt gets to finish his point of order, the front row of government side of the HOA all snap their fingers. PCC looks around, face drops as he stares at his colleagues and he mouths “Now?” Dunkley looks over, trying hard to wipe the gleeful look within his heart and nods, yes.
PCC: “Mr. Speaker, I” and that the last word heard from PCC, he grabs his chest and falls to the ground.
The following morning the daily headlines
“Burt harassed PCC into heart attack”
At the scheduled, emergency OBA caucus it is heard he followed the script. But the big unexpected surprise is: “Next item on the agenda, any nominations from the floor for new leader?” Moral of the story the dark horse could be Premier.
I’m investigating, is another way of saying, don’t ask me anymore questions… you got me…
A writ…is another way of saying, don’t ask me anymore questions….. you got me…
The OBA have really shot themselves in the foot over GP cars from day one. When opposition, they complained about the widely-perceived misuse of government cars under the PLP. And they had a point: everyone knew that they were being used as second cars for the elites. It was a perk, and one that many people resented.
Then the OBA came to power and, attempting to distinguish themselves, consigned the cars to the government quarry to gather rust. But they didn’t need to do that: all they needed to do was declare a policy about who is allowed to use the cars and under what circumstances – and then commit themselves to that policy.
Now, realising the folly of their early position, they’ve tried to reintroduce the cars by stealth. As if that would work on a 21 square mile island full of busybodies. All of this foolishness could have been avoided if they had just shown an ounce of common sense. Oh well.
Oh well, time to pull the foot out of the mouth & enjoy a serving of crow.
These things happen. Move on. It is not like she did anything really wrong like take a free ride on an airplane.
Like I said before its consistent, from Commercial Immigration to Jet Gate to secret taping to Jet plate…………………stay tuned.LMFAO
As I said before, making issues and conspiracy theories where there are none.
Lets hope there are more Private Jet rides,this will save the tax payer money on travel expenses, promoting Bermuda business abroad.How can we select business partners, investments, etc if we we do not forge links with interested groups.
What ever it takes to get the economy going, even that means hitching a ride on a private jet,so be it.
Accepting the ride does not obligate Bermuda to anything.
Making a mountain out of a mole hill.
PLP manufacturing distractions to kill time so that the Gov does not succeed before the next election.
the minister should be suspended for misleading the people of Bermuda
the only reason for removeing the gp plates is so the drivers can go anywhere they like
Another possibility is that they could then allow other family members (wives, kids, etc.) or friends to borrow the vehicles and the public wouldn’t be the wiser. I suspect one instance where that was done-a spouse used a GP vehicle with the regular plates-the spouse was also a government employee but I don’t think is entitled to a GP car so why was s/he driving a GP vehicle??? I suspect it was the spouse’s GP vehicle.
She needs to be dismissed for Lying. What an example for the younger generation that thought of her being an outstanding politician.
So, all politicians that lie should be dismissed?
Seriously? That’s the line you want to take?
Do you have any evidence that she IS, in fact, lying?
Lies and deceit is the most destructive force known to Man. Ponder it for a moment Mike…
Ponder this…
No one has shown any evidence that she lied.
Whatever, you lied, you got caught, you were made to apologize now you trying to explain yourself away. Just quit while you are still,ahead.
Madame minister, are you any relation to pinocchio??you lied and now must explain yourself, day by day i am looking at the many mistakes OBA are making ..Also remove the word “honorable” from those who have that title, for i see no honorable people in that house..
All news releases should be peer reviewed before being released to the media.
You are giving ammo to the opposition,to send pot shots and waste time from getting Bermuda on the mend.
GP Cars are a waste of money and all but 2 should be taken off the roads and sold.
This idea of changing the GP plate to Numbers is STUPID!
Game Over.
SO OBA….WHO VOTED FOR THIS…
Haven’t you received the notice? After the last election there will be no more votes just dictation. We are now moving back to being a corporate colony.
Just a Q…
For those of you that are saying she’s lying (and I’m not saying she is or isn’t)…
Why?
What was the end game? What was she trying to do that forced her to lie?
What other reason is there to change the plates?
I’m not defending, as I agree that they need to get rid of most of these cars, but I don’t understand what the reason was that caused her to lie.
She is clearly lying to help make the GP cars invisible and open to more abuse, it happens with them all going to church, grocery stores, family gatherings, we see it every day and the people at the top get away with it, look at the BPS even the top cops car is used in such a fashion but…they get away with it.
So… she’s going through all this… so she can go to church and the grocery store in a GP?
Is that really it?
And is that what people are THIS up in arms about?
(And “clearly lying”? Really?)
Well Mike,
Can you explain why, cause it sounds like a lie to most of us? Lol
I mean when I first heard this, I was looking for the police report, cause this is a serious issue. To now hear she did not get information from the police, I wonder where did she get it from,and police should want to know as well.
What’s more sprising is that she was about to put forward changes to legislation with false information. Maybe you can explain how a seasoned politition can make such an ametuer mistake.
No. I can’t. That’s why I’m asking.
(And “most of us”? Come on. You KNOW that’s wrong.)
And “What’s more sprising is that she was about to put forward changes to legislation with false information. Maybe you can explain how a seasoned politition can make such an ametuer mistake.”
Was it an amateur mistake when Dr. Brown did it?
Just the other day, he posted here on Bernews that he, a seasoned politician, was given false information, which caused him to tell the House and the people of Bermuda something that was not true, at all, regarding the vetting of the Uighurs.
You’re making a mountain out of a molehill, it seems, yet again, and in the most hypocritical way.
If a “seasoned politition” making an “amateur mistake” is a bad thing, then it has to be a bad thing EVERY TIME it happens. If not, then your motives HAVE to be called into question.
You are a joke with a reply like this Mike. You always find a way to talk some bs to people. What does Dr.Brown got to do with this? If you can’t speak to what I wrote, why you replying?
I DID speak to what you wrote. How are you missing that.
And I explained exactly what Dr. Brown has to do with it in my post. Just because you don’t like me pointing out the hypocrisy doesn’t make it not valid.
You said “it sounds like a lie…” Does this mean you have no evidence? That you’re hop just assuming?
Yeah really
ohhhh… kay, then.
Not gonna explain? Got it.
Did she lie?
I doubt it.
Just misinformed by variant Government departments et al.
Some are just shuffling to keep their ______ clean.
Sad.
Mike she’s covering her arse and her colleagues who want to drive the cars.
They made it up and didn’t think we were smart enough to ask questions.
Is there ANY evidence to back this up?
Yes, her statements in the HOA. Take you head out of the sand man.
You are sensible, don’t cover for their wrong doing. You’re a better man than that, no?
Or do you drink red cool aid – Mike Hind?
No. I don’t. And I’m not covering. I just want to find out the truth and, given you guy’s history of jumping on every single thing in an attempt to make political points in hopes of forcing another election, you’ll excuse me if I’m going to need more than the word of demagogues hiding behind fake names.
Where in her statement is evidence that she lied?
And why can’t they drive the cars now?
(And remember, I’ve already said that they should get rid of most of these cars.)
Didn’t they say they WON’T be driving GP’S? OBA tells you what you want to hear and you ppl fall for it everytime.
SO now that we know it wasn’t the police – Why did the ministers change their numbers?
I know why – so they could use their GP cars without people knowing that they had GP cars!
Isn’t that exactly what she said?
That the reason they did this was so they could use the cars without people knowing they were GP cars, because she thought there were threats?
Why else would they want to use the cars without the GP plates?
There you go again deluding yourself into believing the plates were changed because of threats that the minister can’t even verify the existence of. When threats are made in Bermuda the usual thing is to go to the police not a “special branch” whatever thats supposed to mean since Bermuda doesn’t have a CIA, NSA or anything of that like. Face it the plates were changed to conceal & if they were never caught out there would be no talk of threats. You claim I don’t share my real name but I have it’s, “Eye of Horus” as I know all & see all of what’s going unlike you who blindly follows.
Ugh.
Here we go again with this one.
You’re insane. Your name is NOT Eye of Horus. You ARE hiding behind a fake name. I do not blindly follow. That’d be you.
Now. I’m not deluding myself of anything. I’m asking questions because people seem to know a lot more about this than they’re letting on and making a whole lot of accusations without backing them up.
I’m trying to get to the bottom of this.
Hence the questions.
So… do you have any evidence that she’s lying?
Or is it just wishful thinking?
It seems u r satisfied with the Minister’s explaination so why don’t U move on. Or better yet, go speak with the Minister directly.
Any evidence given on this discussion thread will b purely speculative or even worse – “it’s not as bad as what the PLP did”.
And again with THIS one. I’m not satisfied, but I don’t see why people are as convinced as they are that she lied.
You admit that there’s no evidence, yet expect people to believe you.
How does that work?
You are the Ring Eye of Horus.
It sure was fun watching her go from tap dancing to doing the wobble . Wobble baby wobble baby wobble baby wobble . Yeaha
“And this too shall pass”. Now where have I heard that line before?
Take away that W&E jeep. That guy has it good. Driving around fresh all day, every day. Tinted windows and AC.
His ah mambar uv dee Bee High Yoo.
Instead of the OBA , the architects of this party should have went with LIE ..Lessons In Evasiveness .
Ha, good one.
Wow, this OBA… scandal after scandal after scandal…
Molehill after molehill after molehill…