LESLIE Miller, Tall Pines MP insisted yesterday that “I have never abused a woman in my entire life”. He claimed that his comments in Parliament last week were spoken in “jest”. #Insisting that most of his political career has been spent defending women, especially single mothers, Mr Miller attempted to add context to his comments which sparked a wave of backlash following publication in a local daily. #At the time of his comments on February 20, Mr Miller said he was criticising the FNM for what he described as them not looking out for the best interests of fishermen while they were in government. He said he likened the previous Ingraham administration’s relationship with fishermen to a woman being abused. #However, FNM Deputy leader Loretta Butler-Turner criticised Mr Miller saying that he joked about an issue that is too serious to be spoken about in that manner. #“Mr Speaker during my contribution I said that their so-called love for the Bahamian people was tantamount to you claiming to love a woman and you beating her all the time. It was said in jest and they knew it was said in jest,” Mr Miller explained yesterday. #“Yet in the newspapers this morning in The Nassau Guardian it says Miller under fire for abuse remarks. Anyone in their right mind (knows) that I have never abused anyone in my life in this country.” #However, audio of Mr Miller’s previous comments posted on social media suggests that he has back-pedalled on his initial remarks. Seated MPs could also be heard laughing in the audio as Mr Miller spoke. #In that audio, Mr Miller said: “That’s like beating your wife or your girlfriend every time you go home. You just beat her for looking at her. I love you. Boom, boom, boom. I had a girlfriend like that. When I didn’t beat her she used to tell me I ain’t love her no more cause I don’t hit her. #“But seriously I had one like that. I had one. She used to tell me...” #At that moment, House Speaker Dr Kendal Major interjected stating: “We know that you are joking with that.” #However Mr Miller continued: “No I serious with that. I tell her I get tired man. My hands hurting a little bit, give me a break. #“I am telling you the truth. One thing I don’t do is lie.” #Mr Miller said he was bothered that the story, published on Wednesday, had attempted to attack his character and reputation as a father who has daughters and grandchildren. #“It bothered me that that could be said because it went throughout the media. In fact I got a call from my two daughters this morning seven o’clock asking me what the problem was. Who I was involved with that I abused. My daughters have three children each. I am a grandfather. This is serious business. Don’t try to harm my reputation with lies. I don’t appreciate it. #“I have the right to defend myself. And you know I am capable of doing that. And those who attack me know that because they attacked me before and I attacked them back. Now they going on attack again.” #Last night, Mrs Butler-Turner released a statement expressing disappointment that despite the upcoming celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, Mr Miller’s action was one which signalled great regression in Bahamian society. #“It is a sad day for the Bahamas,” she said, “that the MP for Tall Pines could make such a comment without being rebuked by his party. Indeed, when the Minister of Social Services was asked about his repugnant remarks, she refused to comment. No PLP female MP has condemned his remarks. #“The Prime Minister should publicly condemn Mr Miller’s comments. If he refuses to do so, it will be clear to the women and men of the Bahamas what his attitude is concerning such comments. #“There can be no joking concerning abuse against women, about domestic violence, about rape or about any assault on the dignity and the person of a woman,” she said.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 12:00:42 +0000