Edison Key’s decision to relinquish his senatorial position still stands, despite a meeting with three Cabinet ministers Wednesday, but according to Senate President Sharon Wilson, he is still considered a senator by law.
The Guardian has learned that in his meeting with the ministers he held fast to his resignation and intents to hand over his seven-page letter to the senate president next week. Mr Key claimed the letter was sent to Prime Minister Christie three days after it was written on Jan. 10, but the prime minister claims not receiving a resignation letter from Mr Key.
On Tuesday, Mr Key admitted to The Guardian that he had not submitted a letter of resignation to Mrs Wilson, as mandated by the law, saying he considered it appropriate to alert Mr Christie first.
Mrs Wilson confirmed: “I have not received anything from him, I have not seen him … according to the law, he is still a senator.” She stated further that neither did the vice-president of the Senate receive a letter of resignation from Mr Key.
Mr Key was an advocate of The Bahamas’ Independence from Great Britain and opposed the Abaco secessionist movement in 1972.
In Friday’s Guardian, former senator Audley Hanna Sr wrote a letter to the editor, expressing how “sad” he was hearing of Mr Key’s resignation, calling him “a man of great courage.”
Mr Key, a white Bahamian, was victimized by his own people in the early 1970s, the letter reads, adding, “His tractors, airplanes were damaged because of the faith and confidence he had in Sir Lynden Pindling, therefore making him a PLP.”
“Mr Key had made great sacrifices for the PLP and his country. He was one of the leading white Bahamians in The Bahamas to bring black and white Bahamians together so they could live and share in comradeship together,” the letter read.
It continued: “I was so impressed with the prime minister during December’s council meeting and I am sure every council member was impressed with his presentation, but nothing has happened … losing someone like Mr Key from the Senate is no joke and it spells bad news for the PLP.”
Mr Hanna concluded by offering this advice: “The imagery in the party needs to stop quick and fast or else we will find ourselves in opposition in 2007.”
Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
