We also asked the leader of the UDP about the story on Hot Off The Press. Shyne Barrow is in a more delicate position than the commissioner, because HOTP is considered UDP friendly media. He confessed to personal bias, while grudgingly conceding that the HOTP post crossed a line.:
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"I don't agree that a woman being unemployed and a woman going out to a bar and being around other people of the opposite sex any way erodes her credibility as a citizen of this nation to make an accusation. I don't see hold that video or that commentary erodes the credibility of the people complaining in this instance. There are other facts that I have been privy to, but I won't comment on those facts at this time because I do not want to prejudice."
"If you feel it's victim shaming, I could see how you arrive at that position. I, I would not have wanted that to be a story that they did. I don't think it was helpful to the accused. I think it did help the accusers more than anything because it made it seem as if, as you said, there are many people that share your opinion that they were victim shaming. So I believe it is regrettable."
Jules Vasquez
"So you believe that half the press crossed the line, do you?"
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"I can. I can conceive how you can see."
Jules Vasquez
"I see you having great problems making this concession."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"No, listen, there is such a thing as freedom of press. And this is a reported media, online media, if you will, organization. And it. I would not have done it. I did not find it tasteful."
Jules Vasquez
"Look at the Minister of Home Affairs, how clear he was when he spoke."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Because obviously he's bias. You know, he knows that the matter involves a UDP."
Jules Vasquez
"And but you may be accused of bias as well, sir."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"I concede that I do have a soft spot for out of the press, not part of the press. But I'm not going to lie. Certainly the person that is accused these accusations are not consistent with the person that I know."
"I would say that that's not the person I know. I don't party with the person. Nobody could tell you that they see me at Thirsty's or Shisha."
