Shyne Barrow and Tracy Panton both claim to be leaders of the UDP - and after a high court hearing today, neither is any closer to calming uncontested and sole leadership.
Appearing today before justice Tawanda Hondora in a closed virtual session Dr Chris Malcom from Jamaica appeared for Shyne Barrow and Peter Knox, a British King's Counsel appeared for Panton.
The hearing was triggered by filing made by attorneys for Panton asking for various court orders - but none of the applications were heard and it turned into case management session.
And Shyne Barrow's attorney also filed a motion to find Tracy Panton in contempt of court for going against the last judgement and asking the court to commit her to prison for three (3) months.
The court did not grant that, actually it was not even considered at this preliminary stage. Her chairman - who is also an attorney - gave us a rundown:
Sheena Pitts, Tracy Panton's Chairman
"The court appreciates that there should be no delay in determining the real issue and so since there will be no delay the real issue and a pronouncement on the real issue will be sooner rather than later."
"When both parties were invited to identify what the real issues are both parties agree that the validity of the convention is one and because a defense and counter claim had been filed on behalf of Honorable Panton in the counter claim the issue arising there from is that the expulsions the alleged expulsions or the alleged constructive resignations are null and void and of no effect so yes those are two main ones."
Jules Vasquez
"I appreciate your recap the most exciting thing that came out of this is that Tracy Panton has a proper British King's Consul as her attorney one Peter Knox KC."
Sheena Pitts, Tracy Panton's Chairman
"She has Consul and yes Consul is Mr Simon Christopher Peter Knox KC."
Jules Vasquez
"When we see the presence of Mr Knox who is a very highly regarded British King's Consul I'm asking from a political perspective now, is he retained in alliance with the Ashcroft alliance? because whenever we see white man attorney in Belize, he's the only person who could afford to bring white man attorney in Belize. I'm sorry."
Sheena Pitts, Tracy Panton's Chairman
"Because it's rather unfortunate that our postcolonial consciousness constrains us that way that we can only think that way and so I cannot be invited to even answer your question."
"I respectfully decline the invitation, but I will say categorically that there has been no collusion, connivance, there has been no assistance lent by any other, in your terms, white man to secure consul we have who so happens to be from the UK, and also white."
Jules Vasquez
"What do you make of the filing that your leader, Tracy Panton, should be jailed for contempt of court? Is Tracy Panton any closer to reclaiming control of the headquarters or claiming the full undisputed leadership of the UDP today than she was three weeks ago?"
Sheena Pitts, Tracy Panton's Chairman
"What I can't tell you is that from the decision of the judge, the judge appreciated that this is a matter that requires urgency."
The attorneys will report back to the court in 10 days.
