If the Opposition has evidence to support its claims that the government is illegally spying on Bahamians through the controversial National Intelligence Agency (NIA), it should produce the proof, Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney charged yesterday.

Mr. McCartney raised concern about the operation of the agency and like the Free National Movement (FNM), he too asserted the government’s actions may be illegal considering it has failed to provide the legislative framework to govern and regulate the bureau.

“I can only assume that the [NIA] is meant to collect intelligence based on criminal activities, but you have to be very careful that whatever you collect, you may not be able to use in the court of law if it is collected by an entity that is itself illegal,” Mr. McCartney said.

The FNM has accused the government of using the agency to illegally spy on Bahamian citizens and it has charged that the government has gone ahead with allocating funds for the NIA and allowed the bureau to operate without legislation in place.

Mr. McCartney said if the Opposition has evidence there is illegal activity taking place, it should lay all its cards on the table and share the information with the Bahamian people.

“They ought to rake the government over the coals, if they have the evidence and bring them before the courts because no government should be acting in that manner,” he said.

“If we, the DNA, had the evidence, we would act on it and if you are spying and you’re not set up properly and you have no legal basis to do it, we would sue from here to thy kingdom come because that’s a no-no. That’s an infringement on the constitutional rights and we will show the government how it ought to be done.”

National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage confirmed recently that NIA legislation will be tabled in Parliament before the end of the year.

There was also $100,000 earmarked for the bureau in the current fiscal year.