Amid a firestorm over Free National Movement (FNM) Senator Lanisha Rolle's withering comments directed at several sitting FNM MPs, including Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, the former deputy leader yesterday referred to the matter as "pettiness".
Rolle lambasted Butler-Turner last week and charged that the former deputy leader does not have what it takes to win an election. Rolle also accused some sitting FNM MPs of being "jealous" of Minnis and the favor he has with the public. Several FNM members have spoken out against these statements, while others have supported them.
When asked to respond to Rolle, Butler-Turner said that she will continue to take a "national approach".
"I really do not have any comments at this time with regards to any pettiness that is going on within my party," Butler-Turner said. "My approach is truly one of national approach, and that is what I will stay on. Obviously, that is really all I have to offer in that regard."
Rolle made her controversial comments when she recently called in to Guardian Radio 96.9 FM talk show "The Conversation" with host Shenique Miller. She accused some FNM MPs of "misusing their positions of power for self-serving interests and not in the interest of the country".
In an interview on Sunday, Rolle stood by her comments.
"I am who I am and I said what I said, you know," she told The Guardian. "It does not mean that I don't love anyone. I love all of my colleagues. I love the Free National Movement, and I love my country. Whatever needs to be done to help the country to move forward, that is my passion and my love."
Butler-Turner said her focus remains on removing the Christie administration from office.
"I believe in the mix of all of this that we have a country that is spiraling downward socially, economically and otherwise," she said. "In the whole scheme of things my most important job right now is to try and get this Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and its inept, incompetent [and] delusional government out of office."
In a statement issued on Tuesday night, Minnis said the FNM does not support any criticisms from anyone that would damage the reputation of its parliamentarians and senior party members. But he did not directly address Rolle's controversial statements, nor did he indicate whether Rolle will be asked to apologize.
On Wednesday, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant demanded an apology for Rolle's "unprovoked attack". On Monday, FNM founding father Maurice Moore said he fully supports Rolle and her comments.
In a Facebook post, Heather Hunt, who was asked by Minnis to resign from the Senate last year, said Rolle should apologize. Former Minister of State for the Environment Phenton Neymour has questioned Rolle's ability to represent the FNM in the Senate. Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key said he fully supports Rolle.
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