Earlier in the news, we showed you parts of the adjournment that occurred sometime around 9 on Friday night. Well, the Leader of the Opposition also rose to speak about the audit currently being conducted on the Ministry of Defence. She explained that this isn't a matter that should be taken lightly and that the accusations against the government are grave. She also stated that it wasn't about politics but rather protecting the people's money. And then she asked GOB for a fair and transparent audit. Here's how that went:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"I can speak conclusively to information I have been given. I can assure you the opposition is not asking any one to prejudice guilty. We're asking just for due process. We're asking for transparency, we're asking for independent forensic audits where it becomes necessary. We're asking the every oversight institution established under our laws be permitted, resourced, and protected to perform its work free from political interference. If no wrongdoing has occurred, independent investigations will confirm that fact. If wrongdoing has occurred, those responsible regardless, and I want you to hear me clearly, regardless of political affiliation or public office must be held accountable under the law."
But the PM didn't take too kindly to the accusations and then started pulling out receipts of his own. He delved into the matter of Brad's Gaming Group's unpaid taxes and put some of the blame on Panton. And that sparked several back-and-forth arguments within an already late meeting:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"And curiously do you know who was the architect behind Brad's Gaming Group? It's no other than the Leader of the Opposition, she was the one in charge of that process. Mr. Speaker, I did not interrupt. What's the point of order?"
Tracy Panton:
"He will not continue to stand in this House and impute improper motives against me, he will not get to do that because he knows that is a deliberate misrepresentation of the truth."
Hon. John Briceno:
"As I was explaining, the Leader of the Opposition has no moral standing to come here and make these kinds of allegations because when she was in government and she could have made a difference, she did none. She was part of the government that approved a 10 year license to Brads Gaming Group limited and you know under the Barrow Administration these two companies were not being assessed by the Belize Tax Service."
"And when you ask the people in charge of Brad's Gaming Company and Brad's Gaming Group, now this was simply just to try to cover the eye, try to defraud and say it's a different group, the same people were dealing with the Boledo."
"And the Leader of the Opposition she was in charge of the Ministry of Economic Development."
Tracy Panton:
"On a point of order."
Hon. John Briceno:
"I did not interrupt you."
Tracy Panton:
"I will interrupt you. And I will continue to interrupt you. We will stay here until midnight I don't care because he will not continue to impute improper motives in this House, that is business. He will not do this just because he is Prime Minister, he is compromised, but he will not do that to me."
"There is nothing in the records that would validate anything in this National Assembly as it relates to my involvement."
