At the top of the news we told you how the UDP's John Saldivar had been politically shut down by the special committee assembled to determine his future in the UDP. Their verdict? He has none.
But, he will appeal to the National Party Council, and as we told you, the wild card in the power play is the Caucus for Change - which Saldivar created and controls. But the hanging question was "does he still control it?", now that even his own party leader has turned against him.
The answer to that came a few minutes ago when the caucus - through Saldivar - issued a release via text message saying, quote, "Our Caucus is clear and determined in our support for John Saldivar in the absence of any evidence to prove his guilt. We believe it is only right and just that the people of Belmopan choose their leader. We will therefore vote accordingly at the NPC." End quote.
That essentially throws the gauntlet down to leader Shyne Barrow - who will now have to try and use his financial clout within the party to try and snipe off some of Saldivar's supporters. If not, Big Bad John will ride again in a Belmopan convention.
