sexualmisconduct

North Abaco Member of Parliament Kirk Cornish was in Grand Bahama on Thursday to answer questions about the sexual assault allegations leveled at him by his former girlfriend.

The questioning took place at a police station in the nation’s second city where the complaint was made. The announcement of his appearance accompanied by a lawyer, drew attention and widespread public debate that his historic surrender brings.

Many Bahamians took to social media to express, “No one is above the law,” when the authorities announced that Cornish “turned himself in” around 5:25 pm.

Cornish, who is a sitting member of parliament, was asked about his encounters with the unnamed woman who accused him of choking her twice near unconsciousness, then poking her in the eye, before threatening to kill her family.

She alleged on March 24 while spending time in Nassau together, Cornish held a knife to her throat and attempted to stab her. Then on April 4, he ripped off her pants and underwear and forced himself on her.

When she filed an official complaint against him on April 7, he was not questioned immediately, until Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander announced this week that Cornish would be brought in during the week to answer questions in regard to the accusations after their preliminary investigations were completed.

Though the media did not outrightly identify him as the person accused of the sexual assault, they asked him about the allegations as he arrived at Parliament, to which Cornish replied, “No comment.”

The woman told the media “…something has to be done because he needs help, and whatever route that takes, it has to be done. I didn’t do this to hurt him, I did this to help him.”

It remains to be seen if police have sufficient evidence to charge him with a crime.

When an ex-girlfriend accused a member of parliament of assault and rape over two weeks ago,  authorities never questioned him. Now police are promising to bring him in for questioning this week after their preliminary investigations, Commissioner Clayton Fernander said.

The MP’s questioning will be another chapter in the assault and rape claims after the woman filed a complaint with the police against the ex-lover.

The uncertainty of the questioning process has spurred public debate. This development thrusts him, the government, the police force, and the country into unchartered waters.

What does the woman allege?

The woman who has not been officially identified said she and the MP were in a two-year relationship in which he choked her twice near unconsciousness. Then he poked her in the eye which he excused to be an accident.

She alleged he even threatened to kill her family while she watched.

On March 24 while spending time in Nassau together, he held a knife to her throat and attempted to stab her, she alleged.

Then on April 4, he ripped off her pants and underwear and forced himself on her. Before leaving the house, the MP said he came by to kill the family but ‘not enough of the family was in the yard.’

She then filed a police report on April 7

Who is the MP?

The media has been careful in publishing the MP’s name since he has not been officially named by the police and has not been charged with a crime. But public discourse alluded that he is a member of Parliament representing the Abaco constituency.

When reporters asked Commissioner Clayton Fernander to name the MP who is the suspect in the matter, he said, “The nation knows who the MP is.”

Will the MP be arrested?

Assault and rape are serious allegations. Those allegations levied against a sitting member of parliament are rare and grave, and could spark calls for resignation. Only a handful of MPs have been questioned by police. If he is arrested and charged, he will be the first MP formally accused with such serious offense.

What did the prime minister say?

Prime Minister Philip Davis has remained relatively quiet on the matter, but made his first comment on Saturday, suggesting that someone told him the alleged victim did not wish to press charges against the sitting MP. Davis said he will await the outcome of the police investigation, then he will speak on the matter.

What did the lawyer for the alleged victim say?

The woman refuted claims that she is with-drawing statements she made against the MP. In speaking to the Tribune, she doubled down: “I am continuing my pursuit of justice in this matter, and I will continue to cooperate with the police as they investigate.”

In fact, she retained a lawyer Bjorn Ferguson after the PM’s statement. The lawyer said the victim “expects a professional investigation to be undertaken.”

“At the conclusion of the police investigation, we expect the case file to be reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecution.”