Belize Government asks British press to put up or shut up

As the London press continues it’s saturation coverage of international magnate Michael Ashcroft the Government of Belize has issued an open letter to Britain’s media saying essentially that “enough is enough”. The release acknowledges that our government has no intention of getting involved in the political affairs of the United Kingdom but that the hounding of Mr. Ashcroft, who serves both as Belize’s U.N. Ambassador and treasurer of Britain’s Conservative Party, is inflicting damage on Belize’s good name. Government says that the continuing publication of unsubstantiated allegations of money laundering and drug investigations is eroding investor confidence in Belize. It asks that the U.K. media either produce evidence to backup its charges or cease the campaign against Ashcroft and Belize. Ashcroft originally came under fire in Britain for his role as both the treasurer and allegedly largest contributor to the Tory party. Once Fleet Street smelled blood they extended their investigation to include Ashcroft’s business and political dealings in Belize, suggesting that he exerts an unhealthily large influence over the economy and government. That view has been bolstered by the opposition UDP, particularly former party leader and Prime Minister Manuel Esquivel. In several interviews with British radio stations and newspapers Esquivel has condemned Ashcroft’s attempts to advance his economic interests here and his close ties to the ruling People’s United Party. For Esquivel, whose comments are eagerly parroted by the otherwise bored British press corps, it appears to be payback time against the man whose money he believes ejected him from office.