Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said in a statement yesterday that the statement made by Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis accusing him of giving out citizenships left, right and center is a "damnable and contemptible falsehood and untruth".

"It is libelous and defamatory. It is one more demonstration that the leader of the FNM is not fit for the purpose," Mitchell said.
"I have six years to bring an action in defamation. Time is longer than rope. I hope when his silly season is over that he is able to learn the difference between facts and fiction, fair comment and defamation. There are costs associated with it."
Mitchell added: "The statement made by me on Saturday, April 8 which he sought to answer are statements of policy, not personal invective.
"He has still not answered the fundamental issues: Would the FNM fire the 3,500 workers that are being put on the permanent pensionable?
"Would the FNM fire those in the empowerment program? These are all policies of the PLP to protect public sector jobs.
"What is their program for jobs? He has no answers, just personal attacks.
"The PLP believes in jobs for our people and protecting our country and its workers. I pledge to continue to work for the workers of the country."
Addressing a PLP crowd at Claridge Park on Saturday, Mitchell said some of his constituents have asked him what will happen to them once the 52-week job training program comes to an end.
"First of all, the PLP has no 52-week program," Mitchell said.
"That's number one. Number two, it's (the PLP's jobs program) an empowerment program.
"You were hired by the government and the only way that will change is if you elect the FNM to be the government.
"So, what you need to do on Election Day is make sure the PLP is the government.
"Then, you don't have to worry about losing no jobs."
The 52-week jobs program was an initiative that started under the FNM in 2011.
Mitchell pointed out that the prime minister pledged last year to make 3,500 civil servants permanent and pensionable, and "that is happening right now as we speak".
He continued, "So, the only thing you have to worry about is if the FNM takes over in May.
"If you vote PLP you don't have to worry about whether you are going to lose your job after the election."

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