Espat and Cordel Hyde did not attend the PUP national convention on Sunday in Corozal; they were the only two standard bearers who weren't there. And the party is not pleased. Hardliners have been talking about expelling the pair for this and a list of what are perceived to be past offences against the party.
Well today, Mark Espat told us they weren't there for, "personal reasons and other major issues relating to our constituencies and the party." Espat explained that those major issues include 23 Lake Independence voters who were fired from the Housing Department after Cordel Hyde was kicked out of Cabinet and Ralph Fonseca took over the Ministry.
And while that may have been the reason, leader emeritus George Price wants his own explanation. 7NEWS has received reports that Price has written to both Espat and Hyde asking them to explain their absence. Our reports say, they have written back.
But there was no need to write to current leader Said Musa; both Espat and Hyde visited him in person today at his Belmopan office around noon today. According to Espat, they discussed those issues relating to Albert and Lake I. Espat says there was no indication from the leader that expulsions are being planned. In fact Espat says that Musa affirmed that he expects that their seats will be two of the divisions that will be victorious for the PUP.
Of course, while party leader Musa operates usually from a position of accommodation, his hardline hawks may still be clamoring for a more stringent course of action.
