And while the PM admitted that the transactions raised an alarm, he doesn't think it'll hurt Mira's chances at the polls. And likely he is expecting Mira to return to the Home Affairs Ministry, where he said the former minister was doing a good job.
Courtney Menzies:
"Do you think Oscar Mira is still politically viable in Belmopan?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I have every confidence that he is, he has been a good area representative and he has been a good minister, a competent minister so I do believe that politically he will still be able to continue to connect with the people of Belmopan."
Courtney Menzies:
"If it's the Ministry of Defense that's being audited why did Mira as Minister of Home Affairs need to take leave?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well because obviously he felt that he being in Cabinet, it might just give the wrong impression so he felt it was best to pull away out of Cabinet for the audit to be done."
Courtney Menzies:
"What expectations do you have of Julius Espat in the ministry?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well I expect him to continue the work that Minister Mira started I think Minister Mira was doing a very good job as the minister responsible for home affairs."
Mira now becomes the second Minister on a leave of absence; to hear the PM tell it, Jose Mai is on a medical leave of absence. We should note that both leaves of absence were - according to our best information - directed by the PM.
