By Gerrino J. Saunders
Journal Staff Writer

In the wake of the office of the prime minister announcing the
termination of Mario Bannister as Director of Clifton Heritage Park
and his arraignment for his alleged involvement in the gruesome
murder of Philip Adderley, and other recent incidents involving
government employees, Progressive Liberal Party Chairman and
Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell on Monday (Aug. 26 th )
shared sobering words of advice and warning.
Speaking on the subject of ministerial government which he
studied in law school and by extension all public servants
including managing directors of corporations Mr. Mitchell said,
“You are responsible for the consequences of your personal
conduct.”
He said, “We taught that lesson to all would be candidates,
members including corporation chairpersons, and wannabes just
before the 2021 General Elections. Your personal conduct should
not adversely impact the party and when there is a conflict you
should fall on your sword.”
“We have seen examples of this in the administration twice since
the General Elections and it is an important principal for us to
remember this week; the leader should not have to ask anyone
what to do,” he said.
Bannister, 62, along with Christian Napier, 28, and Donte Riley, 26,
appeared in court on Monday (Aug. 26 th ) accused of plotting to kill
Phillip Adderley who was found in waters near Stuart’s Cove Dive’s
former base in Western New Providence. He was bound by the hands
and feet and stabbed multiple times.

Video later surfaced on social media showing his killers striking him in
the head several times with a piece of wood to ensure he was dead.
Bannister was charged with acting as an accessory to the murder by
providing a vehicle to the murder suspects.
He and his accomplices were not required to enter a plea and were all
denied bail. They will return to court on February 13 th 2025 for the
service of a voluntary bill of indictment.
The Office of the Prime Minister announced on Sunday that Bannister
was terminated from his position as Director of Clifton Heritage
effective immediately.
Mr. Mitchell hinted at two other incidents where government
workers were found breaking the law.
In September of 2023 police notified that an employee in the
Department of Information and Technology at the Office of the
Prime Minister was investigated concerning possession of eight
illegal firearms and 979 rounds of ammunition at his Sunset Park
residence.
Thirty-five-year-old Carlson Pinder was later charged and
sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
In July of this year a female personal assistant of a Junior Cabinet
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Leon Lundy, Charra
Rolle-Scutt, 26 along with her husband Rubens Scutt, 33 were
also charged with possession of illegal weapons and ammunition
at the McKinney Drive home.