Speaking from his home the day after his resignation was announced, one of the country's most popular ministers said he felt he could do more outside the government.

With his wife Lisa nearby, Branville McCartney told The Nassau Guardian he believes he "can make more of a difference outside of Cabinet."

On Sunday, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced that McCartney had resigned his position as Minister of State for Immigration, stating he had been "unable to fully utilise his political potential."

McCartney said he is still a strong supporter of the FNM and the Prime Minister.

"I am an FNM. I don't want persons to get the wrong impression about me going to the PLP. That is not my position. I am going to support the FNM in any which way I can so that they are the next government of The Bahamas whenever the prime minister decides to call the election. I have faith in that party. I have faith in the leadership."

But the Minister said he did not feel he could do any more for the country as Immigration Minister.

Former Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney with his wife Lisa and their daughter Tai. Photo from The Guardian.

"I don't feel at this time I would have been an asset to the country sitting in the Cabinet as an immigration minister of state, because I don't think at this time I would have been effective and if I get into anything, whatever I get into, I want to be effective. I think I've been effective to a certain stage, but I don't think I would be effective moving on," he said.

"When you're in Cabinet you are bound by confidentiality; that is our oath, that is what we promise. You have to tow the party line more so as a Cabinet minister. I would like to speak out more on crime. I would even like to speak out more on immigration. I want to speak out on what is right and not based on party lines. My conviction comes first as to how I feel as a young Bahamian first and I honestly care about my country, the future of my country. "
Read more in The Nassau Guardian here

Letter warns McCartney, 'resign or be killed'
The Tribune reports that police are taking a letter threatening McCartney very seriously. The anonymous letter warned the MP to "resign or be killed" and was the second one sent in a month; Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Charles Maynard was threatened with death in a letter signed by "The Brothers".

There has been no suggestion that the MPs decision to resign was related to the threat.

PLP resignation response
In a statement released shortly after the Prime Minister's, The Progressive Liberal Party said McCartney's decision is cause for concern, criticizing the Free National Movement's government and Ingraham's leadership style.

"His resignation has exposed the truth of how Mr. Ingraham governs the country and his party. The PLP believes that the country is not well served by the conduct of public affairs led with bombast, harsh words and disrespect as a hall mark of governance. We warned against it from the day Mr. Ingraham first took office. Now the FNM has turned on one of its own. The country must be told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth on this matter."
Read more in The Tribune here