Rolfe Commissiong No Longer In Cabinet
[Updating] The Premier has confirmed that he advised “the Governor to revoke the appointment of Rolfe Commissiong as a Senator and have accepted his resignation as a Minister.”
He was initially appointed as the Government Senate Leader and Minister of Community and Sports on October 8th, and his appointment has been widely criticized. It marks one of the shortest times in Cabinet, as he was appointed just over 48 hours ago, on the afternoon of Thursday, October 8th.
This story is developing, and we will update with further details as able.
Update: Premier David Burt said, “On Thursday I presented a team that would be responsible for delivering on the unprecedented mandate of trust received from the people of Bermuda on October 1st. One of the appointments made on that day has generated some significant concern, concerns which I must equally now share.
“I reject completely any suggestion that I would personally endorse or tacitly support any action or knowingly make an appointment of this nature without regard to the critically important need to protect women in this community.
“I am the son of a strong, enterprising mother; husband to an independent and loving wife; and father to a young daughter to whom I am already teaching the importance of self-respect and dignity. Women in this country must feel safe and respected in all their pursuits. Where that is not the case, leaders have a responsibility to act and to act decisively.
“Accordingly, I have today advised His Excellency the Governor to revoke the appointment of Rolfe Commissiong as a Senator and have accepted his resignation as a Minister. Whilst it is not for me to judge any conduct or to determine the outcome of any further action which may be taken, I am compelled to act now.
“The appointment of the Government Leader in the Senate and of the Senator who must, under the Constitution, be a member of the Cabinet, will be made in due course.”
Update: Letter tweeted by the Premier
Update Oct 11, 7.55pm: An OBA spokesperson said, “We said in our original statement that Mr Comissiong’s appointment was “an affront to the human rights of the alleged victim”. We said it was “a horrendous and irresponsible decision”.
“We stand by that statement. This appointment was made by an arrogant Premier who did not care to consider its implications.”
Burt doing his best impression of MJ moonwalk…should never have gotten this far in the first place .
Who are you to judge this man’s life. Know one on this blog site is perfect and we all don’t have to be. Before you start pointing fingers make sure your hands are clean. Now respect the privacy of the victim + RC’s family and move on.
A vote for FDM is a vote for a better future and the OBA needs to go.
I’m sorry this isn’t good enough.
What were you thinking Burt, what were you thinking??
There was talk of marching, it should still happen. People have to know and accept that we won’t stand for sexual harassment as acceptable.
In any other country, they would ask Burt to resign.
Sounds like RC has found a new home at FDM.
The OBA needs to go where? They aren’t in power…….
Anyway who are you to make such a judgement against Kevin? Are your hands clean?
…and they will never be in POWER!!
PLP got you right where they want you….stay thirsty my green friend.
Go away. You have 6 seats and less after the fdm party makes it’s next move.
The public wanted him out and he is out. That is a powerful Opposition force led by the women’s caucus of the PLP. The Premier listened nut folks will still want his head.
The Premier was well aware of what happened and what was said, yet he still appointed Rolfe. He does not get a free pass. When Rolfe rightfully resigned, that should have been the end of it. That was all just for show, so the PLP didn’t face a backlash pre election and lose votes, hence the appointment of Rolfe after the election. The premier tried to pull a fast one on us and got caught red handed.
Wayne Furbert, you have competition for your nickname.
Don’t worry about cousin if I was you I would worry about why so many white voters didn’t vote OBA this last election and why the black voters departed 4 years ago. We will be the next Opposition and later Government.
A good start but I want him out of the senate also…he gave up privileges a long time ago. In his letter he mentions not being honest (yeah right) what was the question?
A politician fired for not being honest? This must be a first in Bermuda?
On behalf of all women, thank you for accepting Rolf Commissiong’s resignation! He should have never been appointed & I am pleased the majority of Bermudian women of all political persuasions objected to his appointment when there are far more respected people to choose from in the community.
You don’t speak for me
Why did the premiere, appoint R.C. in the first place ? and did the back benches put pressure on him… something not right here.
I’m in your court Paul, if RC stepped down for issues and did not run as PLP candidate prior to the election, then why on earth would he be appointed to the Senate subsequent to the election? This is a leadership and good sense issue. The letter that RC submitted to the Premier, I’m sorry, is a feeble cop out with RC throwing himself (no matter what one may think of him) under the bus to save face for the premier. Bottom line, RC should not have been appointed in the first place which raises the question, why was he even put forward to serve in the Senate in the first place? it certainly does not smell right!
Well said!
Because he knows to much.He was a side kick to Dr Brown ect and is well aware of all the wheeling and dealing.
Next up wayne and zane
NO! Burt next.
Shocking decision, he deserves it.
Now JetGATE craig needs to go next until that happens the OBAubp will be buried in a cemetery.
Yeah “truth” you tell ‘em. BTW did they ever find a weapon from the bank robbery?
Well now that RC is unemployed, will he go back to robbing banks?
“For not being honest and forthright to a question asked prior to my appointment”. Enough said, RC you cannot be trusted especially as a Senator and Minister. Take a hike.
RC needs to be removed from Government,period!
Jetgate will be next if you dont want fdm to be the next opposition.
jeff baron’s sister with her race bait comment on her facebook site in 2017 destroy the oba chances of ever winning further elections.
Nah. A former premier’s “back to the plantation” comment did that some years ago. And now we like 4 billion in debt. Lmao. Well, non politicians are in debt anyway. Funny how that works huh?
OMG so true Bermuda.
I hope this is the last we here of race bater rolfe ,come on Burt stop with the rum swizzle already.
‘For not being honest and forthright to a question asked prior to my appointment’
Whilst we may never know the full details, it appears that Mr. Commissiong was not completely honest during discussions with Premier prior to his appointment. The Premier, now being fully appraised, made a difference decision.
We must give kudos to Premier Burt for being decisive given the new information, whatever it was.
The banter will follow but let us at least be informed by the facts. Let us also be mindful of the ‘bystanders’ in all of the this. The victim and Mr. Commissiong’s family… at least.
Common denominator with RC..
The appointment raises questions about Burt’s wisdom in the first place. There was plenty public information on RC to disqualify him. RC recognized that when he stood down and refused to run. Burt has shown his colors.
Further, what didn’t RC tell DB? Is there a lot more skeletons in his closet?
Yes agree, Burt the misogynist, out of step and should be out of government.
Just insulted 35,000 people
Nobody would believe this stuff, you could never script this in a million years.
Right? Why was he even brought back IN THE FIRST PLACE???
all of you people stop right there we have allsaid and done things that has not been to nice so when you are digging A HOLE FOR SOME ONE DIG ONE FOR YOUR SELF
Yes we have all done and said things that were not nice but a politician, an elected official, should ALWAYS be above all this. I happen to like Rolfe a bit but he needed to go from the Cabinet, Senate and the Legislature. If he was still in one of those roles, at some point along the way, he would have to speak to subjects that would be related to this scandal (of which no one still knows about). Based on that alone, how could you take him seriously? You couldn’t.
And how this has anything to do with the OBA is ridiculous. So please stay focused on the topic and hold your comments.
No , I have never tried to rob a bank, pretended that a speech was different than was recorded, broke copyright laws, stabbed a colleague in the back, or had to pay a woman to keep her quiet. Any of that sound familiar ?
“you people”…who do you think you are! FFS.
The same voters who gave the OBA another cut razz at the election. Now carry on
Yours must be pretty deep then…….
This makes a great script for a storyline…. Just having trouble coming up with a show title!
Any suggestions?
Nope.
Some people need to stop polluting the airwaves and let Bermuda grow and move forward maybe just heal a little
I’m sorry. JETGATE had exactly what to do with the voters of Bermuda?
Is that all you have from how long ago?
Triangle, the real JetGate was the free ride(s) given to then Premier Brown. The PLP ignore that one that did involve tax payer money. It doesn’t suit their history. We’ll never know how many such trips were made, but based on allegations of pressure put on IB executives who used private jets at the time, likely more than one.
STFU you lost more seats this election and your jetgate is only remaining as leader for the money in many peoples minds.
Gloating and anger don’t look good on you (or anyone for that matter).
Burt makes one bad decision after another. It’s a habit.