Yesterday you heard the PM backtracking on the promised independent investigation into the kidnapping of Joseph Budna. This comes after constant calls for the investigation to be independent of the police - because we know definitively that officers were involved.
Those calls also came repeatedly from the Minister of Home Affairs, who supported the idea from the start. But was the prime minister ever really on board? Courtney Menzies takes a look back on previous interviews regarding the case. Here is that story.
Almost two months ago, Channel 7 News Director Jules Vasquez first called for an independent investigation into the case of Joseph Budna's kidnapping on the Monday Morning Beef.
September 01, 2025
Jules Vasquez, News Director
"These recordings need to be made public and an independent investigation has to be done. I came here primarily to demand that, continue to demand it because we first stated it last week. But the police cannot investigate the police. I want to know what text messages if any the commissioner of police received, what texts exchanges he had that night. Which police is going to ask, Mr Commissioner, the complainant has said that your name was called, could we question you about your whereabouts, could we see your phone? Which police officer is going to do that?"
And, days later police Minister Kareem Musa agreed that it had to be independent:
September 05, 2025
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"My personal take on it, and I've mentioned it to the Prime Minister. I think regardless of the outcome of the investigation by police, because of the interest of this particular case, in terms of openness and transparency, it warrants an independent investigation."
But, despite him him speaking to the Prime Minister, 8 days later, he was noncommittal:
September 12, 2025
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Nobody has said no to an independent investigation, what I have said is that we will ask the police first to come with a report and based on that report we will decide what is next, if there is need for an independent investigation then we will do so but allow us to be able to get that report then we will decide what we are supposed to do."
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"Before I left the country on Saturday, as you know, I had put forward that position. My suggestion, that is only a recommendation."
Then, two days short of a month ago, the Prime Minister, via a Cabinet press release, agreed, announcing that they would move forward with an independent investigation. The release also stated that they would be receive legal guidance from the attorney general.
Well it seems that legal guidance included backtracking on the announcement.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I think we're coming to the, to the consensus that, quite likely, and I will make their recommendation tomorrow to Cabinet, I think is better then, time to just pass it on to the DPP and let them deal with it."
Jules Vasquez:
"So no independent investigation?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Did you hear what I just said?"
Jules Vasquez:
"I did."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Thank you."
Reporter:
"But the DPP directs the police to go back and investigate further, if needed."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"So, then what do we need to do? What do you want us to do? Bring the FBI? I mean…"
And while the PM's dismissive sarcasm suggests an alarming lack of concern, up to four weeks ago, his police Minister was fully onboard with an independent investigation - when he embraced this position pout forward by defence attorney Richard "Dickie" Bradley:
Dickie Bradley, Attorney
"To have an independent investigation would probably look something like this. Whoever is going to be in charge of the investigation would not necessarily be the investigator in the sense that just as an argument, you have the former justice of the Supreme Court, Adolf Lucas, a man whose integrity is impeccable. He was a former police officer that rose to the ranks of inspector, superintendent, continued the Saturday night school and eventually became a lawyer and then a DPP. He was a chief magistrate and then a judge. You would put someone with that kind of knowledge in charge of the investigation. He will decide how much he wants to rely on in-house investigators, because there is a smear on the police department, or he's going to co-mingle former investigators, persons who you can't intimidate and utilize the police only where the police in-house is needed for certain matters."
Kareem Musa, Min. - Home Affairs
"I heard, I think Dickie Bradley recommended that: a retired judge. Criminal judge with all the experience. They would be ideal. Whoever that retired judge is, of course, that they are still, able to carry out such an investigation to be appointed to something like this. That is something I would support."
But while he supported it from the start, it seems the PM never really did. On September 19th, while the media tried to ask him about the report, he brushed them off, quickly retreating into his vehicle:
Reporter:
"PM, do you expect that the investigation by ACP Suzette..."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Yes."
Reporter:
"Yes? You don't even know."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I expect it by the end of the month, that's what I told you."
Reporter:
"Do you expect that it will include the aspect of the footage being deleted?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I have no idea about that when I see the report I will let you know."
So at this point, as the investigation stands, only the Commissioner of Police has so far been found to have no involvement, PC Barry Flowers is currently on suspension with full pay, and we'll wait and see when the investigative file is sent to her office.
We'll keep following up to see if and when the file really does go to the DPP's office.
