Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader, Shanendon Cartwright led a group of protestors outside the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

The purpose of the demonstration was to call on the government to act on revelations of the involvement of an unnamed politician, referred to as Politician 1, in an ongoing drug related investigation underway in the United States. The information was revealed following the arrest of Jonathan Eric Gardiner, who was rescued at sea, along with several others, after their plane crashed on May 12th.

Pointing towards the House of Assembly Cartwright said, “Politician #1 is sitting right up there, sitting right up there in the people’s house.”

Progressive Liberal Party Chairman, the Hon. Fred Mitchell has addressed the issue saying he believes the story will become a nothingburger. He also said that any speculation beyond the known facts is premature.

Cartwright told reporters, “if this government continues to be dismissive of the Bahamian people by suggesting that there is nothing there then the Bahamian people will respond and they are responding. This cuts at the heart of our democracy and every day, every session that the government does not give answers it will continue to leak confidence.”

Former FNM Senator, Heather Hunt also took part in the demonstration. She said the allegation, if verified, attempts to chip away at the integrity of the country. “That politician got themselves dressed last week and today in the first day they would have gone in this very same house and purport to serve the Bahamian people.”

According to reports at the time of his arrest Gardiner had $30,000 cash in his possession in an envelope with the name of a Bahamian politician handwritten on it. He was scheduled to appear in court last week Thursday but was a no show.

Cartwright said, “we want to know what action will the government take. What will the Prime Minister do to address this issue.

The government released a statement on May 19th saying it will reach out to the relevant US authorities to ask information on the case. The statement also said, “The position of the Government of The Bahamas remains wherever wrongdoing is established, any person involved will be held accountable without fear or favor, and the chips will fall where they may.”