By Ivan Clifford From Caribbean360

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Friday May 22, 2014, CMC – Mark Pettingill resigned as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs on Thursday as the fall-out over the so-called Jetgate affair that had already resulted in the demise of premier Craig Cannonier, continued to hit the ruling One Bermuda Alliance (OBA).

Pettingill’s place in cabinet was taken by veteran lawyer and Health Minister Trevor Moniz, who was sworn in by Governor George Fergusson as government’s new top legal adviser.

Premier Michael Dunkley, 55, who replaced Cannonier as head of government earlier this week, said Moniz would remain Health Minister until next week when OBA backbencher Jeanne Atherden would take over the post.

“This morning I was approached by the Attorney General, Mark Pettingill, and he offered his resignation because he would be picking up an opportunity in the private sector.

“We had a discussion about what he has done and where he will go, and I reluctantly accepted his resignation,” Dunkley said.

“Let me take a moment to thank the former AG for the work that he has done. I don’t think people realise until you fill that role just the magnitude of what has to be done. Mr. Pettingill has trumpeted some very important legislation through chambers and into cabinet over the last 18 months, and needs to be thanked. He has put us in a good position to go forward.

“While I’m disappointed to lose a person of quality in Mark Pettingill, he is committed to the backbench and to the work of the government and supporting not only the government but the new Attorney General.”

He said Moniz was “aptly qualified” to hold his new position, wishing him the best of luck.

In turn, Moniz himself Dunkley for his confidence, adding: “I have said to him I will always do my best to fulfil that confidence for the people.”

Pettingill has been offered a job with Clarien Bank, formerly known as Capital G Bank.

On Wednesday, Pettingill and the other minister caught up in Jetgate — Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell — rejected calls from Opposition Leader Marc Bean to quit their posts after Cannonier resigned on Monday night.

Cannonier, 51, who enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the political tree after first throwing his hat in the ring just five years ago, stood down after it was revealed that US tycoon Nathan Landow and a group of other businessmen had donated US$300,000 to a group called the Bermuda Political Action Club, believed to be an arm of the OBA, in the run-up to the 2012 general election.

The OBA won the election ousting the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) after 14 years in power with a narrow 19 seats to 17 victory.

The donation came after Cannonier met Landow and other entrepreneurs prior to election day after an introduction by a party political consultant.

Three months after the December election victory, Cannonier, Pettingill and Crockwell, along with Cannonier’s business associate Stephen DaCosta, flew to the US last year aboard Landow’s private jet for a meeting, said to be a discussion on investment in Bermuda.

After the donation was revealed, OBA chairman Thad Hollis said the party was not aware of the fund and launched an investigation.

“Mr Crockwell and the Attorney General Mark Pettingill need to tender their resignations immediately and the One Bermuda Alliance government will be held to account,” said Bean, whose party dubbed the affair Jetgate.

“This farce, this theatre, that we have been seeing over the last few days will not absolve the One Bermuda Alliance of being the poorest government in our history and the PLP will still hold them to account. They should have resigned when the Premier resigned,” Bean said.

“It’s the height of arrogance and disrespect to the people of this country, not just by Mr Pettingill and Mr Crockwell, but by the entire One Bermuda Alliance.”

He said the resignation of the Premier is not even close to sufficing or satisfaction. “If anything, it actually makes things worse. They’re now going to try and create the myth that all is well.

“They are all guilty and they will be held to account on behalf of the people of this country.”

Dunkley initially said his cabinet and Senate teams would remain unchanged.

For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/another-bermuda-jetgate-casualty-as-ag-quits-post?utm_source=Caribbean360%20Newsletters&utm_campaign=0fc9ce80c5-5_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_350247989a-0fc9ce80c5-39393477