As you'll hear later on in the news, the Prime Minister left the country today for the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. And that is causing some anxiety for the Chairman of the UDP Mike Peyrefitte. He's concerned because he sent the Prime Minister a Freedom of Information request 14 days ago and has gotten no response. He requested the total payouts to the law firm owned by Minister Eamon Courtenay and Chris Coye - which has been retained on a number of occasions by the government.
Now, when a Freedom of Information request is made the law says, quote, "the Ministry or prescribed authority shall take all reasonable steps to enable the applicant to be notified of a decision on the request as soon as practicable but in any case not later than two weeks after the day on which the request is received..."
Add to that the fact that all three Cabinet members: Courtenay, Coye and Prime Minister Briceno told us that there was nothing to hide and the information will be given…and perhaps you can see Peyrefitte's reason for concern that his request had still not been honored two weeks later.
Today, we asked him - what's the rush?:
Jules Vasquez
"What's the rush? you've been given every assurance that you will receive it."
Mike Peyrefitte, UDP Chairman
"Well, I can't Imagine how difficult it can be to provide it. We have gotten it already you know? But unofficially. I want it officially, so if we can get it within a day or two, then how come they cannot provide it officially?"
Jules Vasquez
"But, you will agree that you lee bit impatient perhaps you could at least wait until the end of the day, end of the 14th day."
Mike Peyrefitte, UDP Chairman
"Jules. I pay my tax you know, every month. And the tax service department is very impatient, and they want their tax. And they want you to file. So, if they are very impatient about collecting my tax money, I can be very impatient as to how my tax money is being spent. And it should be something very simple to provide."
"So when am I going to receive this letter, I've gotten no indication that it is forthcoming and the public needs to know that when we ask for information that the public is entitled to know about, they just feel like they don't need to provide it. You said you have nothing to hide, the gentleman has said they have, just provide it."
Jules Vasquez
"You said that you have the figures and if you believe your sources are sound, let the wild horses run free. Why hasn't the UDP chosen to disclose information it has if you believe you have reliable sources?"
Mike Peyrefitte, UDP Chairman
"Well, I want to be double sure, that that is the case and not only that. I want to see if the prime minister will lie, if you want me to be completely honest with you. I want to see if he will lie or I want to see if at least he will be honest and say yes - this is how much we have paid these people for the series that they have provided to the government."
