But the UDP couldn't even get close to the summit to see who was there because they were blocked at the bridge by the police Special Protection Unit. And in the heat of the standoff, the chairman and senator, Michael Peyrefitte, made a tasteless and juvenile comment about the PUP in a Facebook live post. Of course, social media being what it is, the remark picked up major traction - and was whipping around WhatsApp at the speed of virality.
Today, Peyrefitte expressed no regrets:
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, UDP
"That will be the conversation that the PUP wants to have, about what I said. I mean, when you're staring down tactical police and you're being disrespected by your government and you cannot walk on the streets as a citizen, forgive if I don't find the words such as, well, I am upset because the government, because of their insecurities are overcompensating for their shortcomings, with every emphasis and pun on the first part of the word shortcomings, we're in a battle, we're protesting, and I said what I said, and we will not make that be the focus. What is vulgar is the fact that we borrowed a billion dollars since 2020 with nothing to show for it. What is vulgar is the prime minister saying that since 2021 to now, there has been 600 million dollars invested directly because of that summit, where is it? We don't see it. What is vulgar is the fact that you have the price of fuel just keeps going up and up and up. What is vulgar is a crime situation that is out of control, so all of that will be ignored because I used a synonym for a chicken?"
