Statement by Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie
Prime Minister 
17^th October, 2006 

I wish to advise the public that I have accepted the resignations of Mr. Kenyatta Gibson and Mr. Keod Smith from their respective positions as Chairman of the Gaming Board and the BEST Commission and Ambassador to the Environment; effective since very early in this month of October. 

I have done so with a great deal of regret because both these men have given highly commendable service to our nation in their respective roles as chairmen of important public institutions over the past four years.

The country must know that in matters such as this particular incident, where a person’s future is involved, due deliberation is required.  This wisdom is borne out by my own personal political experiences.   

Due deliberation results in an understanding of the incident and results in the RIGHT THING being done. 

Having engaged in direct discussions with both Keod and Kenyatta concerning the unfortunate conflict, which I came to understand that it was; I know how deeply remorseful and embarrassed they are.  I am convinced that their regret over this incident is as unfeigned as it is profound. 

At the same time, however, I am deeply conscious – as indeed both Keod and Kenyatta are themselves – that actions; both actions of commission and actions of omission, all have consequences.   

I have also allowed sufficient time to satisfy myself that they fully appreciate the fact that as leaders of our society, we all have a responsibility to conduct ourselves in a manner that sets a correct example of how people should behave when they come into conflict with each other. 

Whether we like it or not, the positions we hold demand that we set a standard of civility for our citizens to emulate.   

By our own conduct, we must demonstrate that differences can, and should always be, resolved by intelligent dialogue and rational discussion in an atmosphere of mutual respect. 

It is, I think, a testament to the maturity of both Keod and Kenyatta that after giving this matter the kind of introspection and critical reflection it deserved, they each decided that resignation from their appointed offices was the honourable and proper course to take. 

I would like to publicly commend both Kenyatta and Keod for demonstrating the maturity that they have in this matter.   

What transpired was wrong.  They have admitted that it was wrong.  But they have done the right thing. 

Kenyatta and Keod are both young men.  They are also very talented young men with the interests of their country at heart.  Thus, this should not be interpreted as the end of their political careers.  On the contrary, I believe that both of them have a future in public life. 

Indeed, I have never been one to condemn any of my colleagues – or opponents, for that matter – to a life of banishment from the body politic just because they made a mistake.  I certainly did not adopt that position when leading FNM personalities were caught in serious improprieties and grave ethical lapses. 

As I have said before, I am a believer in the redemptive power of the Second Chance.   

And just as the Opposition personalities to whom I have alluded are themselves ‘Second Chancers’, I firmly believe that Both Keod and Kenyatta will bounce back from this and play an important role once again in the development of our nation and its institutions.

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