We asked Barrow if Willoughby was removed partly because he asked his party leader to buy the wedding ring for his new wife but committed to mention that his new wife is his opponent's daughter:
Jules Vasquez
"How much of the decision on Philip Willoughby was guided by the fact that you bought him a wedding ring for his new wife, and the man omitted to tell you his new wife is his opponent's daughter? Was that a factor in your personal decision making on this?"
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"You know, the decision was not a unilateral decision at all by any means, but I certainly was disheartened. I was disappointed because I had stood up for Mr. Willoughby when he received massive criticism after the extremely poor performance in the municipal's, and I was going to stick with him and see him through to the general elections, but when the news came out, coupled with the omission, like, you know, you saw the information that he mentioned everything except that it was the daughter of his opponent, which I would think, you know, definitely something he would want to tell the leader of his party."
"And regardless of whether I was generous or not to help him with the wedding ring, I would think as a leader of the party, it would certainly be something if you're telling me that you're getting married, you might want to mention that part."
Jules Vasquez
"You know, many times when relationships break up, you have to give back the ring. Since you paid for the ring, and your relationship with Philloughby has broken up, will you ask back for the ring?"
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"No, this is the thing. I called, I was upset, I told Philip who I felt, but then I called him, I call him Philco, I called him and told him, you know, do the right thing brother, don't put the party through this. So I'm not upset with Philip."
"I don't have any grievances with Philip, maybe he does with me, but I don't have any problem. I wish them well. I'm happy to have contributed to the wedding ring and I hope that, you know, they live happily ever after."
And while they may live happily every after, Shyne may have some trouble ahead. Area Rep for Albert Tracy Taegar has called for a face to face meeting of the national party council to discuss the Willoughby removal.
