Hiding in Plain Sight: Whistleblowers Inside Public Service Driving Corruption Exposure—How Does Their Minister Feel?

While officials claim they cannot act on the allegations against Pinelo-or simply lack the political will to do so-is the Ministry of the Public Service turning its sights on the whistleblowers?

We asked if an investigation is underway into the SmartStream leaks coming from within the public service-leaks that exposed such shady payment practices to connected companies that the Prime Minister was forced to put two Cabinet members on leave.

So how does Usher feel about public officers exposing their own Government? We asked him:

Courtney Menzies:
"How do you feel that these are employees under your ministry?"

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service

"Well, they're employees of the Government of Belize, not necessarily under the Ministry of the Public Service. And I think that the information was readily available. I don't know exactly who you are referring to when you're praising them."

Courtney Menzies:
"The leaks?"

Henry Charles Usher:
"But, you know, I think that, you know, nobody really has been called, I don't know. So it's just a general phrase that's being done by the opposition. I wouldn't expect anything less."

Courtney Menzies:
"But it's the public officers who are sort of, you know, sending all these things to the media houses and whatnot."

Henry Charles Usher:
"Okay, so what's the question?"

Reporter:
"Do you agree where there is an idea or some suspicion of corruption, that this is made public?"

Henry Charles Usher:
"Well, I think that the information has been put into the public domain. You're seeing the Auditor-General going in there and doing an audit and let's see what the audit brings out. I think it's important that if there are areas that need improvement, that those areas are improved, if there are additional controls that need to be put in place. If you would recall when you first asked me this question, even before the Auditor-General stepped in, I said, what is important is that an audit is done. And I think that that process is ongoing now and we have to see what report comes out from the Auditor-General."