DeSilva: I Apologize, I Should Have Done Better
“I should have done better,” Zane DeSilva said, “and I certainly apologize to my cabinet colleagues, my caucus colleagues, and the people of Bermuda for my lapse of judgment.”
“As a Minister, I should have had on my mask because I left my table,” he added. “I had a lapse that was, quite frankly, not in best favour of myself or the Government, and therefore the consequence is my resignation.”
The former Cabinet Minister was speaking after he — along with Wayne Caines — resigned from the Cabinet after videos circulating showing them at a party not adhering to the Covid-19 regulations.
Mr. DeSilva told Bernews, “As people know by now, when I exited the men’s room on my way out of the establishment, there was a saxophonist who was playing music, and apparently he was serenading everyone as they were leaving. I jigged with him for 25, 30 seconds. Of course, that video was played around the island and I did not have on a mask, and that was not a good thing.
“As the video shows, there are many other people who stopped to listen to the saxophonist on their way out, and quite frankly, as a Minister, I should have had on my mask because I left my table. It would’ve been a good thing for me to tell people, look, just keep moving, don’t stop…I did not.
“We all know that, during the past couple of months, I, for one, on my weekly show Tourism in Focus, have been really encouraging people to practice the health measures that have been put out by the health department.
“So I had a lapse that was, quite frankly, not in best favour of myself or the Government, and therefore the consequence is my resignation.
“I will say this, is that during the few hours we were there, when everyone was at the table – which was for the most part – it’s just unfortunate that this one incident happened, and I could have done better; I should have done better as a Minister of the Government.
“But hindsight is 2020 and as I’ve said publicly already, I certainly apologize to my cabinet colleagues, my caucus colleagues, and the people of Bermuda for my lapse of judgment at that particular time.”
If the Premier really gets it, he’ll reinstate both gentlemen. In the meantime, I really do wonder who the grass might be. Enjoying somebody’s generosity and hospitality, it is in very poor taste.
Ah..it’s not what they did….it’s the leaker who is in the wrong?
Caines and DeSilva were very vocal about not adhering to Government guidelines, quite threatening in fact.
Can you imagine if that was the OBA…there’d be accusations of two Bermuda’s, one rule for them, another for us, marches on Parliament.
Give me a break.
If the premier really gets it, he won’t touch them again., if he does, the Premier also loses all credibility
We are all human and make errors. So sorry, Minister! Will miss hearing you on MAGIC 102.7 TOURISM IN FOCUS.
If Cannonair can be oppsition leader after JetGate, then these guys coming back is a no brainer
You seem confused. JetGate was when the then PLP Premier took a ride on the private jet of Global Hue then gave them an untendered contract for $40 million, which was also renewed. That was JetGate, and it involved tax payers money. There is no similarity.
All the best, Minister! Hopefully, you’ll be reinstated soon along with Minister Caines. If not, great time to bring back Michael Weekes.
Please no! How can we trust them to keep to the rules they make? as for caines – three strikes
No mention of holding a birthday party for his wife? I saw the Instagram post advertising the event and there was no mention of it being a fundraiser.
Will that be swept under the carpet?
It wasn’t just one incident – you were dancing with no mask, did you ask people to socially distance, did you ask people to wear masks when they were not at thier tables – did you show leadership in that regard?
stop feeling sorry for yourself – you made the rules, you broke the rules. trust has gone
Arrogance has bitten bith in the ar$$$. Bring in New blood, Mrs. Ming from St. George’s would do well.
What about the whole Meals on Wheels claim?
From a review of the videos on line and in the media, it would appear Zane’s recollection of what happened may have been clouded by the excitement, let alone the champagne. The videos seem to show a party including table dancing, which is an odd way to exit a restaurant.