Lanisha Rolle resigned from the Senate on Friday, citing a “need to focus on a few personal matters”. She will be replaced by Dr. Duane Sands.
The former FNM Senator's resignation comes after The Tribune published stories this week about an alleged recording in which she made disparaging comments about several FNM MPs, including Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, during a conversation with political hopeful Lincoln Bain.
Although her resignation will be welcomed by some in the party, the incident has likely complicated efforts to rally them behind Dr. Minnis, who appointed her to the Senate last year despite concerns from some in the party that she was inexperienced and undeserving of the position.
“Today I am announcing my resignation from the Senate with immediate effect,” Mrs. Rolle said in a statement.
“It has been a great honour and privilege for me to serve the people of The Bahamas in such high office. However, at this current time in my life I need to focus on a few personal matters and do not feel that I will be able to devote the time needed to best serve the Bahamian people. I cannot in good conscience allow myself to continue to serve while not being able to focus all of my attention to the work of the people.
“I truly believe the Free National Movement is strongest when it is focused on the work of the people and my hope is that my resignation today will allow the party to appoint someone that can fill my roll and dedicate the needed time to achieving the greater good of all Bahamians,” the statement continued.
“I thank the FNM leadership for giving me the opportunity to serve the people and I look forward to working in my own capacity to help ensure that the FNM continues to move forward as it strives to rescue The Bahamas from a failing government.”
In the alleged recording of her conversation with Mr. Bain, Mrs. Rolle reportedly spoke at length about the political future of several members of the party with whom she was dissatisfied.
During the conversation, she allegedly informed Mr. Bain that the party would not to nominate him for MP in the Pinewood Gardens constituency, a move that prompted some members to accuse her of “traipsing around conducting party business as though she is an authoritative figure” within the party.
In a statement released on Friday afternoon, Dr. Minnis announced she will be replaced in the Senate by Dr. Duane Sands, and said: “I respect Senator Rolle’s decision to step down today from the Senate. She has served the people of The Bahamas with great pride and I look forward to working with her in the future.”
Mrs. Rolle began courting controversy almost immediately after she was chosen by Dr. Minnis to replace Heather Hunt. Ms Hunt resigned when Dr. Minnis asked her to step down from the post.
The Tribune reported at the time of her selection that some party insiders were caught off guard by the move.
One said there were "fireworks" within the party over the choice since she had little experience in front-line politics and "wasn't mentioned during meetings”.
She was criticised by Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) chairman Bradley Roberts for once saying in a Facebook post that she did not agree with provisions in the Public Disclosures Act.
The law should “be balanced with an individual’s right to privacy,” she said, adding: “Persons who offer themselves in public life should not be as a lamb carried to the slaughter, and moreover, unless you were born as a king or a queen who is exempted from paying bills, we all have bills which at some point may be outstanding.”
Her profile rose in January when she criticised Mrs. Butler-Turner during an appearance on a radio talk show. She said the country would not support the Long Island MP as leader, adding that some MPs are “jealous” of Dr. Minnis. Her statements prompted several sitting MPs to demand that she apologise, which she eventually did.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson said at the time that she had “no sense”, calling her one of Dr. Minnis’ “tragic mistakes”.
The incident was seen as a flash-point in the FNM that highlighted the degree of dissension surrounding Dr. Minnis' leadership.
Contacted yesterday and asked about Mrs. Rolle’s resignation, one FNM parliamentarian, speaking off-the-record, said: “That’s sweet music to my ears.”
By Rashad Rolle, Tribune Staff Reporter
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