Cayo South’s Julius Espat Thrown Out of House; Tension at Fever Pitch
We have been covering House Meetings for decades, but we cannot remember one as chaotic and as dangerous to democracy as today. There was total pandemonium on Independence Hill where a sitting parliamentarian was suspended—though no knows for how long—another was manhandled and then there was a direct attack on the media. Outside of parliament, police fired shots as a peaceful protest was underway so both inside and outside of the Assembly Building, things reached a fever pitch this afternoon. We begin tonight with the ejection of Cayo South Area Representative Julius Espat, who has been suspended from the House for what the Speaker says is the use of language contrary to the rules or procedures of parliament. Espat is known to be adversarial with the Prime Minister, but today it is the Speaker who used the weight of his office to remove Espat. It all happened when Espat raised the damning Auditor General’s Special Audit on the corruption at the Immigration Department. Here’s how it unfolded.
Michael Peyrefitte, House Speaker
“I don’t have the time to read the whole thing for you…”
Julius Espat
Julius Espat, Area Rep., Cayo South
“You have to have the time; the people pay you to listen to us. When you have the prime minister insulting this gentleman by name and you are giving them opportunities to do that and I am talking about good governance, what is your problem Mister Speaker?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“The problem is they pay me to ensure that you do your job and that is impossible.”
Julius Espat
“They pay you to block me; that’s what they pay you for.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“You know what….That statement; can I get a minister to name this person please?”
Julius Espat
“This goddamn House of Representatives is a joke. You are a mercenary of that government. It is ridiculous that a member of the House cannot speak about good governance in this country. dah thief unu got over there; thieves. There is nothing that I have done that is illegal or against the orders of this House. Let them raise their hands. Bring it on. Mister Speaker, the reason that you don’t want me to debate is because I am bringing up issues that the Auditor General has put in her report.”
Said Musa
Said Musa, Area Rep., Fort George
“Can I ask you to exercise some restraint? And I will say the same to the honorable member.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Member, when this member tells me that I am being paid to block him; that is out of order completely and you know that member.”
Julius Espat
“Mister Speaker, Mister Speaker; I am prepared to apologize Mister Speaker.”
Michael Finnegan
Michael Finnegan, Area Rep., Mesopotamia
“Mister Speaker as a point of order, I want the member of Cayo South to have the common decency to withdraw that statement that you made to the Speaker and then proceed. And then tell the Speaker what is your topic. Let us be civil to one another. We don’t have to be indecent and let us respect the chair.”
Julius Espat
“Mister Speaker…”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Member for Cayo South, I do not want to hear you.”
Julius Espat
“Mister Speaker then I will not withdraw my statement; then it is a fact.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Minister are you prepared?”
Wilfred Elrington, Area Rep., Pickstock
“Yes, Mister Speaker…”
Julius Espat
“Go down on the record that you are naming somebody because he speaks of good governance.”
Wilfred Elrington
“I would like to move the motion that the member be no longer heard and such motion shall be put forward without amendment or debate. So I move the motion, Mister Speaker; that the member be no longer heard.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“I am asking you, you can choose if you want to, because only ministers can propose for the naming of a member. I am requesting that you move a motion for this member to be suspended from the House.”
On both sides of the House, cooler heads prevailed asking the Speaker not to be so rash. In the end, however, the Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington raised a motion to have Espat suspended. Espat continued in his seat despite a request by the Speaker to have him escorted out of the Chamber and the police were called in. They seemed to be asking Espat to exit, but when he remained seated; the officers brought in reinforcements and cleared everyone from the gallery, including the media.
I really perceive the PUP to be a softie. If it was barrow in opposition they would have disrupted the house sitting and shut it down.
The monkeys are running the zoo . . . and corrupt monkeys at that!
It is not about my favored thief Michael being payed to block.
He, like me, thoroughly enjoy corrupting democracy to suit our criminal whims.
Sgt. of arms, drag this dog out of this sacred temple of Belizean democracy!
ALL BULLSHIT !!!
WHAT THE “F” THEY FIGHTING OVER A PASSPORT? OK, USE THE PASSPORT MONEY TO REPAIR THE WOODEN BRIDGE IN CAYO!!!
WHY CAYO HAS BEEN SO NEGLECTED?
ALL THE “F” HOUSE FIGHTING AND WE NEED TO REPAIR THE BRIDGE IN CAYO.
THAT`S WHAT THE UDP MEANT WHEN THEY WERE CHANTING “THE BEST IS YET TO COME”
Shame! Crying shame on you Michael Peyrefitte. You lost it and you abused your powers. Very uncouth. Classless!
This situation looks like the Wally George television show!
Bravo! Finally, a PUP with balls. Barrow calls Kareem fool”, Said “you thieving son of a bitch” and not to mention the Finnegan dirty mouth business against Dolores. The UDP has indulged in rampant corruption due to a limp and inept PUP. Look at the body language of the rest. Limp! Cordel, Mai, Rodwell, Kareem, Said, all a fxxxing waste of time.Thank you Julius for showing some cojones!!
Dean just sat there and did nothing as his speaker meltdown- even finny, said and Johnny tried but dean wanted it to come to this- wha a shame and representative of the whole country where animals are running the country and the country is a zoo- nothing works from government to prosecution to now parliament- a sad day because of morons in the house including Julius who cried like a baby and stupidly broke his own finger – embarrassment for Belize because of speaker Mike , Julius and dean and all their ego
My kid asked me what is going on while watching the news, told my kids son this are the people who we pay our hard earn taxes to act like kids from my neighbor hood when they play ball. He just laughed and said it looks bad. Also he says they act childish which I totally agree. This gov really needs to step down but how since all the law enforcement is on their side with violence going rampant and rouge. Dean said lets have a time of civil disobedience now he forgot he same one said. I best thing we should have a politician cleansing in that house better.
its a shame what the happen da Blz. i think if you did a crime pay for it da jail if necessary. i no care if da udp or pup. yes espat abuse power but let the man talk. blz need a next meet ca the last one was bulshit
Well this is real low and childish, then you guys want to run our country, best thing the bad bway and gangster run it because y’all are no better. not PUP nor UDP. none of them can be civil with each other at least Mr. Michael Finnegan tried. then Julius was willing to apologies but Perrefitte is so full of himself didnt even want the apology, well to heck with you then Julius did the right thing why apologies to someone so arrogant.
ALL IN ALL I NO TRUST NO SIDES I JUST HOPE THAT THIS WAS NOT A SHERADE TO SWEEP ASIDE THE MASON SAGA SO BELIZEAN FORGET IT. BELIZEAN KEEP YOU EYES ON THE PRIZE AND STAND UP.