Minister of Agriculture and Local Government V. Alfred Gray said yesterday he has no intention of resigning from the Cabinet, and denied the Free National Movement's allegation that he interfered in a judicial matter.

Gray said he never sought to "pervert the course of justice" when he called Mayaguana Administrator Zephaniah Newbold, who was acting in his capacity as local magistrate, and told him he could grant a man bail. Newbold convicted the man of a minor offense last Thursday. Gray said he understands Newbold eventually released the convict on bail pending the outcome of an appeal.

On Friday, the FNM suggested in a statement that island officials were preparing to transport the prisoner to Nassau for him to serve a three-month sentence when Gray intervened. On Sunday, the FNM called for Gray's resignation or for Prime Minister Perry Christie to fire him over the matter. Gray said yesterday that he has no intention of resigning.

While he gave The Nassau Guardian an extensive interview on the matter on Friday, he said yesterday he will make no further statements as the matter is still before the courts. On Friday, he had said he saw no problem in discussing the case with Newbold because it had already been disposed of.

Gray said the FNM's call for resignations from the Cabinet have been ongoing.

"That is a matter for them," he said. "They can call for whomever they want. They can ask for whomever they want. But at the end of the day we have a government to run and I suppose the prime minister will have the final say on these situations."

He added, "They seem to have very little else to do and they are seeking to stay relevant."

When asked if he would resign, Gray said, "No. For what? I have done nothing wrong. You step down when you have been caught doing wrong. I have done nothing wrong. So no, I am not doing that."

When contacted for comment yesterday, Newbold repeated that he had no comment at this time.

On Friday, Gray admitted that he spoke to Newbold on Thursday.

"I understand that an appeal was filed by a convicted person and once an appeal is filed the magistrate has an option to grant bail or not grant bail until the appeal is heard," he said. "That's what I told the administrator and he exercised his discretion once the appeal was filed."

During a press conference at FNM headquarters on Sunday, FNM Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said Gray "stands condemned by his own words".

"Mr. Gray must resign from Cabinet forthwith or be fired," Minnis said. "We call for the immediate resignation of Alfred Gray from Cabinet, failing which, we call for his immediate dismissal from all public offices. Further, we repeat our demand that the attorney general cause this matter to be immediately and impartially investigated to determine authoritatively whether any law was broken."

According to Gray, the man was prosecuted for "obscene language or obstruction or some minor matter and nothing major".
Gray added that he was bothered that the same police officer offended by the man, was prosecuting the matter. He said no one should be "judge and jury".

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