Says selection was ‘transparent’ and he is not interested in the PLP’s ‘political antics’
NASSAU, BAHAMAS – National security minister Marvin Dames shot down assertions made by the Opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) on Monday, which suggested that the appointment of Charles Murphy, the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) newest Commissioner, was political.
Dames said that the opposition was trying to play an unnecessary game of politics and he did not wish to give much attention to their assertions.
“I expect the PLP to say that,” Dames said.
“Do you see them agree with anything that we put forward?
“This is the first time that this process would have had this kind of transparency. So, I am not into their political antics.”
In fact, Dames insisted that the process of selecting Murphy for the post was a lengthy and thorough one.
“Due process was absolutely followed,” he said.
“We talked about the advertisement that was sent out locally and internationally. There was a group outside of my ministry that went through all of the candidates, narrowed them down and then interviewed the finalists.
“Murphy was the one that ended up with the position and it had nothing to do with Marvin Dames.”
Dames confirmed that there were eight candidates vying for the position.
He noted that Murphy emerged as the most qualified person for the job.
While Murphy brings 38 years of experience to this new post, the opposition asserted yesterday that it did not support his appointment.
Meanwhile, PLP leader Philip Brave Davis, via a press statement issued on Monday, said the PLP does not support Murphy’s appointment.
“The process which led up to this appointment did not appear to us to have been fair or transparent,” Davis said.
“The appointee superseded two women who were in line for the job and from all accounts, seemed qualified for the job.”
Davis said that “there appears to have been partisan political motivations in making the appointment.”
