And, the grilling continued outside where the Prime Minister faced a press scrum. The questions came hard and fast about the investigation at the BTL board level:
Reporter
"Where do you stand personally? I know that Mr. Vasquez is close friend of yours, you've had utmost confidence in his ability to steward BTL. I know this must be a disappointment at the least, even though it is being investigated as an allegation made against him."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Well absolutely, it's upsetting, its hurts me terribly. I repeat that Net Vasquez has been one of the persons I have most admired in my political life. He's become as you say a very good friend of mine. I regret greatly that these allegations have been made and that there is some possible involvement in the supposed abused of the company's credit card. I don't know that I can say much more than that, notwithstanding how I feel about him personally and professionally. The matter has to be investigated and the chips will have to fall where they may."
"I honestly don't know what personal position Mr. Vasquez takes on these allegations. I believe that he feels that whatever occurred is not something that in fact fingers him as being dishonest. That's a matter, it's a position he is certainly entitled to take."
Reporter
"Everyone's talking about the credit card. What is your understanding of what would definitely be a plum if in fact the allegations about the advance on the contract for Channel Seven were true?"
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"I know that there are allegations concerning the credit card. I have seen on Channel Seven's own newscast that there is some questioning of a contract that was entered into between B.T.L. and Channel Seven. I really don't know enough about that to be able to comment."
Reporter
"Can you begin by sharing with us who is heading the investigation or perhaps where we are preliminarily?"
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"No, I can't. It's a matter for the board. I know that we discussed the appointment of an interim chair, so that in fact we can legally be on the front foot with respect to then the investigation that has to happen."
Reporter
"Do we expect that if these allegations are proven that this man should pay back what was taken, to put it that way?"
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"I wouldn't know what to expect. I would hope that that would be the position and the Net Vasquez I know if it turns out that there is confirmation that he benefitted from the use of the credit card, he would be the first, in my view, to say what is the figure outstanding, I will pay it off and in fact to make good on that commitment."
Reporter
"What happens to Mr. Vasquez' seat on the integrity commission, SSB board and any other placements or appointments that he has?"
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Those are all matters that I will have to discuss with him."
Reporter
"The Pubic Service Union has alluded to that this often happens within the Public Service that people who have long retired, this man is 89 years old, couldn't there be other people who could actually get those jobs?"
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Of course, but in my view, Net Vasquez was a lion in winter. The fact that he was of an advanced age did not diminish certainly my appreciation of his many talents and I don't think in any way it interfered with his ability to discharge his duties as chair of the B.T.L. board. He's an unusual man in so very many ways. He is an extremely special fellow and I thought if you leave aside this question of the allegations that has surfaced, I thought that he continued to do a good job."
