Opposition Tries to Table U.S. Affidavit in House of Assembly

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – The budget debate almost took a back seat in the House of Assembly on Wednesday as an intense back-and-forth erupted after the opposition tried to table a U.S. affidavit containing damning allegations against an unnamed politician.

Pintard: “Madam Speaker, I am continuing to lay a document I signaled on yesterday.”

Deveaux: “I’m on my feet, I’m on my feet.”

Rollins: “You have to work with the U.S. every day as foreign affairs minister. You can’t hold them in contempt. You gotta work with them every day. I want you to say what you want. We’re gonna say, be a man about it and say it.”

That was the chaotic scene unfolding in the House of Assembly on Wednesday morning before Parliament suspended for lunch.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard was attempting to table a U.S. affidavit but was quickly shut down as PLP MPs shouted across the floor.

It’s all related to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claiming a Bahamian politician was caught on a wiretap with an undercover U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent in Parliament in 2024, discussing a possible drug deal.

Pintard, who promised to table the document during the House’s last proceedings, began to do so but met immediate backlash.

Fred Mitchell – MP, Fox Hill

“This is not a forum for subterfuge. The document, if he intends to lay any document, must be seen and examined by you before that document is laid. So don’t come here and say you’re gonna read a paragraph. That is subterfuge. They’re trying to get around the rules.”

But the Marco City MP pushed back.

Michael Pintard – Leader, Opposition

“We have laid multiple documents in this House that the Speaker did not have any prior sight of, did not have any sight of.”

House Speaker Patricia Devaux finally made a ruling on the matter, siding with the opposition.

Patricia Devaux – Speaker, House of Assembly

“This floor is a floor where legislation will be passed, bills will be debated, and foundations will be laid for the country. You’re coming back here again, and I told you, if you have evidence that you want to submit as it relates to whatever case you’re building, we have areas for that — not this one here.”

But the drama didn’t end there.

The opposition called a press conference after the House was suspended.

Michael Pintard – Leader, Opposition

“And all we want is for the Prime Minister to do his job. What we want is for the Speaker, who’s independent of the Prime Minister, to do her job. Make sure the investigation is done. Send a strong message not only to Parliament, but to the international community.”