Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing has dispelled rumors that the Minister of Immigration and Labor has tendered his resignation.
A press statement from Premier Ewing today, said there has been much discussion in the media and amongst residents concerning the recent firearm incident and the Minister of Immigration and Labor, Hon. Ricardo Don Hue Gardiner.
Police in Providenciales are at the moment investigating that incident which occurred on Sunday 31st March 2013 around 1:40 am in the Grace Bay area in which a firearm was discharged.
It was reported that during this time, a male person shot a single bullet from his firearm on the pavement of the road, which resulted in two bystanders (a male and female) who were in the immediate vicinity at the time, receiving superficial injuries from the splinters that ricocheted and were taken to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where they were treated and released.
In connection with this shooting, a 26-year-old male was arrested by the Police and taken into custody. He was later granted Police Bail with a surety to return to the Station at a later date.
The Minister of Immigration and Labor was said to have been in the company of the 26-year-old male when the firearm was discharged.
In his press statement, Premier Ewing said and I quote:-
“I wish to inform the public that a thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain the realities of the incident and the extent of the involvement of the Honorable Minister, if any. The Office of the Premier is currently awaiting such official reports of the incident from the Commissioner of Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
In the meantime it has been rumored that the Honorable Minister of Immigration and Labor has been fired and/or has resigned from his post. Such rumors are false, as the Minister has not tendered his resignation, nor has the Premier asked for it to be tendered. We live in a country that must be governed by the rule of law and justice, and as such it is inappropriate for me to harbor any such requests before the investigations have been completed and recommendations have been made, in the interest of Good Governance.
I must however reiterate my view which is that persons in public life, including members of Cabinet and of the legislative and judicial arms of government, should conduct themselves throughout, in a manner that is befitting of the offices that they hold,” end quote.
