Health and Wellness Minister Chebat also had to speak about a burning issue of national interest on his constituency of Cayo North.
As has been widely reported, his driver Hamid Awe Sr was caught on camera berating and threatening police last Thursday night after they detained his son.
Chebat told 7News via phone, quote, that the actions of his driver Hamid Awe Sr "can't be tolerated" and that he "can't remain as my driver".
But, he's been taking a softer tone in an official public statement - and he did the same today in an interview - where he said he empathised with this loyal supporter:
Hon. Michel Chebat - Minister of Health "It's an unfortunate situation, you know as a member of the Cabinet and as a minister, I cannot, what should I say I cannot support the behaviour but as a father, I understand Mr. Awe's reaction. Mr. Awe was reacting to what he felt was his son being brutalized by the police and so I saw his anger, I saw his fear, and so as a father, I understand why he reacted the way he reacted, however, as a citizen of this country we must always remember that we have to respect the police and so unfortunate in all the circumstance. He's not working with the ministry at this time."
Reporter "He was terminated?"
Hon. Michel Chebat "He was terminated, yes a very drastic decision on my part, perhaps a suspension in light of all the circumstances and so I think that I was very drastic in my reaction, but I wanted to send the message that despite the circumstances we need to be calm and we need to be respectful to the police. I can tell you I have known this young man for many years, I know his family very well, I stand by this young man and I can tell you that what you saw on that young man was fear and reacting to the treatment being dished out by the police to his son."
Reporter "In that particular case with your driver he wasn't wearing his mask. The son was detained for a mask-wearing offense. I don't even know if the father was charged for that but these are people that, well the driver, are people around you and they don't seem to be getting the message."
Hon. Michel Chebat "I think they're getting the message and I don't think that is a correct characterization of what has happened I think you need to understand the full circumstances of what happened there to appreciate that this man was called out of his house in a circumstance where he felt his son was being brutalized and he was reacting and I think that was the long and short of it. Thank you very much."
And while Chebat says a suspension may have been appropriate, he later confirmed that Awe has been and remains terminated.
