Government MP Peter David has resigned as Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture.
David tendered his resignation Monday morning during a meeting of cabinet ministers chaired by Prime Minister Tillman Thomas.
“I was pushed into having to take this decision after the Prime Minister refused to accept the proposal that the Minister of Information retract public comments that sought to bring the party and government into disrepute,’’ David said in a statement to the reporters following the submission of his letter of resignation.
“Many people have seen the online video where incendiary and unbecoming comments, almost bordering on slander were leveled against me and other cabinet colleagues,’’ he added.
In the video, Information Minister Noel – a former chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress – alleges that David and others had conspired to control the executive of the party with the aim of removing Thomas as leader of the National Democratic Congress.
Other conspirators, according Noel, include Labour Minister Glynis Roberts; Social Development Minister Sylvester Quarless; former Minister of Works, Joseph Gilbert; and former senator and interim leader of the NDC, businessman Jerome Joseph.
“The record is there to show that, in spite of repeated provocations and a well-orchestrated smear campaign against my name, until now I have said nothing publicly on the issues at hand,’’ David told the media.
“However within the last week the situation became untenable with the publication of the comments by the Minister that was made in the presence of Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and Minister of Finance Nazim Burke. Given their presence, and their subsequent stance Monday when the issue was brought up, it is now clearer that the comments were made with their tacit approval.’’
David, who will remain MP for the Town of St. George and General Secretary of the ruling NDC party, said the current “state of affairs made my continuation as a member of the cabinet untenable.’’
He is the second minister to resign from government since the NDC’s 11 – 4 general election victory in 2008.
The other MP to have resigned was Michael Church, former Environment Minister.
A third minister, Gilbert, was dismissed from cabinet in January by Prime Minister Thomas.
(source: http://spiceislander.com/?p=6829)
