Who is Footing the Bill for Bermuda?

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The questions continue over who is footing the bill for a recent delegation led by the prime minister to Bermuda.

Days after Prime Minister Philip Davis led a delegation to the Progressive Labour Party’s conference in Bermuda, it remains unclear who is footing the bill.

Communications Director in the Office of the Prime Minister Latrae Rahming said the Progressive Liberal Party covered the cost; however Party Chairman Fred Mitchell offered a different explanation.

Meanwhile, Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard is demanding answers.

The trips include the delegation to Bermuda for a political event where the prime minster spoke.

In a statement last week, Party Chairman and Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell quoted

“the standard procedure – for most, if not all, flight requests for the prime minister to originate from the Office of Prime Minister.”

It continues, “when settlement of expenses are done, there is a reckoning – between personal expenses and public expenses. That procedure was followed in this case and there is nothing unusual about it.”

Members of the delegation include Rahming; Mitchell; Former Prime Minister Perry Christie; Transport and Housing Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis; State Minister Myles Laroda; PLP Senators Barry Griffin; and Quinton Lightbourne, among others, including aides.

While there the prime minister recognized each representative of the delegation.

He also announced the appointment of an Honorary Consul in Bermuda and invited the party, while extending an invitation to attend the next PLP convention, and 50th independence celebrations.

The delegation traveled to Bermuda on Western Air.

Rahming told The Nassau Guardian that while in Bermuda, the flight was temporarily grounded.

We contacted Mitchell, who said he had no further comment on the matter.