Bahamas Ambassador to the United States Dr. Elliston Rahming has threatened to take legal action against former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette over recent comments he made about the delay of Dr. Rahming’s ambassadorial confirmation.

Dr. Rahming said he also plans to take legal action against the Nassau Guardian and its television news partner Cable 12.

During its Friday evening broadcast NB12 aired a story with the former deputy prime minister weighing in on Dr. Rahming’s delayed confirmation. A similar story appeared in Saturday’s issue of the Nassau Guardian.

In the story, Mr. Symonette asserted that the delay was unusual and he called on the government to break its silence on the issue and come clean to the Bahamian people.

However, Dr. Rahming told the Bahama Journal Monday that the story and Mr. Symonette’s comments amount to nothing more than defamation.

“I have sought legal advice relative to Mr. Symonette’s utterances and my lawyers both in the United States and The Bahamas have concluded that Mr. Symonette and Cable 12 have defamed me. I have therefore, instructed my attorneys to commence legal proceedings against Mr. Symonette, Cable 12 and the Nassau Guardian for defamation of character.

“For the record, my non confirmation to date as Ambassador to the United States has nothing to do with my character or any wrong doing on my part in The Bahamas, the United States or anywhere else in the world. I am 59-years-old and I have never been questioned by anyone or accused by anyone or charged by anyone or accused of any wrongdoing whatsoever. Not once in The Bahamas. Not once in the United States. Not once anywhere in the world. I challenge anyone anywhere to show otherwise.

“I have guarded my character and reputation scrupulously and the moment is now when I say enough is enough.”

Dr. Rahming, who previously held the position of Superintendent of Prisons, defended his record and says the former deputy prime minister assertions are baseless and without merit.

“I am in the United States on a diplomatic visa issued to me in April 2013, in my capacity as Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States proudly representing my country along with 34 other ambassadors from Western Hemispheric Nations that comprise the Organisation of American States (OAS),” the ambassador said.

“We are grappling with weighty matters related to human rights, youth economic empowerment and development, peace and security, electoral reform, job creation, migration and poverty reduction throughout the hemisphere.

“I am superbly qualified in every respect for the post I now hold and any other I may have the honour of assuming on behalf of the Bahamian people.”

Meanwhile Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell also responded to those comments by the former deputy prime minister regarding Dr. Rahming’s long confirmation as Ambassador to the US.

Mr. Mitchell called the comments “ill advised and injudicious.”

He added that Mr. Symonette’s comments were irresponsible and designed to create political mischief.

The minister said, “It is feeding idle speculation on social media sites about something in the ambassador’s background while in university that are unfounded, inaccurate and absolutely without foundation.”

The former minister, he says, knows better and should cease and desist.

Mr. Mitchell said that when the agreement is received with regard to the Ambassador Designate to Washington, it will be communicated to the public.

In the meantime, the minister said, the public should be assured that Dr. Rahming continues to enjoy the confidence of the government in his service to the country.

Dr. Rahming was appointed back in February of this year.

However, the US Government has still not confirmed his appointment and there’s has been no word from the Bahamian Government on the reason behind that delay.