PM defends hiring his ex-wife, Lois Young
Lois Young
Lois Young, the Prime Minister’s first wife, is the attorney of choice for the Barrow administration. She has been contracted as lead attorney in many of the government’s high profile cases. It is estimated that she collected well over one point two million dollars from the Ministry of Finance during the period from March fourteenth 2008 to June fifteenth 2009. In addition to legal fees, Young also serves as the Corporate Secretary to the Telemedia Board and the chairman of Social Security Board. At his press conference today Barrow was asked why it’s always Lois while there are so many qualified attorneys in the country. Here’s what he had to say.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Again, our attorneys, they like to complain that my ex-wife gets all the litigation. Who would they have me—every other lawyer in this country… well not every other lawyer but so many are in the pockets of Michael Ashcroft. Who do you want me to employ? Di people dehn weh di work fi Michael Ashcroft? In terms of doing legal work for the government, I make absolutely no apologies for that. Before the change of government, this was the lawyer that assisted pro-bono, ACB, several of the unions and any public interest group that was interested in challenging the corruption and legality on the part of the government then, that ruled the day. In terms of the change of government, I say to you again, she charges at the regular rates of a senior counsel, she gives excellent values for the services rendered, the bulk of the litigation is not litigation initiated by us, it is litigation in response to Michael Ashcroft and all his works. Mister Ashcroft has very cleverly been able to hire almost every other lawyer in sight—not Mister Ellis Arnold, he is here—almost every other lawyer which has kind of narrowed the field. Mister Richard Stewart is here, not mister Richard Stewart either, which has kind of narrowed the field.”
next he will hire his son as the new executive for entertainment purposes. come on they are how many lawyers in Belize, like 2. right!
The comments of the PM seems there is a personal Vendetta. Hey come on give it up… otherwise we Belizeans will suffer and you will continue to enjoy your high life profile.
I understand your reason PM, But mix why so have to pay her so much. maybe if yiu invested some of those money on streets we wouldn’t have so many violence and crime. Bring it down a notch or two. Pro Bono is a good word u can think about when yu hire her to do another litigation. I am not a lawyer but dam it i da BELIZEAN and my money u di spend. Beware before the problems of the poor come knock on u door…
The logic doesn’t follow. If the PM himself admits that Ellis Arnold and Richard Stewart are among those who aren’t, “… in the pockets of Michael Ashcroft,” then why aren’t they getting some of the cases or corporate positions?
barrow missed the point. He needs to hire professionals in the Attorney General’s office to tackle these law cases. Much cheaper unless this is payback time for Lois Young Barrow and her lawyrt daughter for the work done for the UDP before the last Election-remember the UDP’s association of Concerned Belizeans? Maybe Lois should not charge so much and what about Barrow’s own law firm Barrow and Williams that now acts for Telemedis. WOW!!!!!
now this explains one example why the country is in recession. mr.barrow can u see why u complain that life will get harder for us poor people. because u are using the money foolishly.
According to Mr. Borrow every lawyer are in Aschroft pockets; but Lois Young is still in his pocket. I have it said before, UDP equals communist.
Dean Barrow is a elegant speaker,his knows how to twist and manipulate words in a excellently manner.With that said this guy is totally bogus and not good for belize.He operates on the basis of family first,second,third and last.One will hope the people will listen to him and dissect the insidious statement he present to us.He is not being prolific,instead he is being a puffery character.
Wasn’t Lois BTL’s Lawyer when Ashcroft was owner???She was on the board rite?? Way to go nepotism!!!!!
I liked what BOB said! Belizeans be aware and pro-active on who is occupying the ‘TOP’ job position in Belize! I would not be surprise if in the short future, more of the PM´s relatives are in those high-ranking position!
Barrow’s lawfirm, is also acting as attorney for the PUC.
Bob, you always make very intelligent and informative comments. You hit the nail right on the head.
MR BARROW PROMISED ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ?AND WAT DO WE CALL THIS.CORRUPTION AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL,DEAN BARROW IS A REAL LIAD.
PM defending his ex-wife or extra wife?Isn’t this a conflict of interest?