U.D.P. Leader Not Concerned Over Senate Inquiry

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

Last night, we also told you that the Senate voted unanimously for the appointment of a Special Select Committee that will investigate the Definitive Agreement. Opposition Leader Barrow weighed in on the Senate’s decision, noting that the matter is a live issue and not a quote “dead horse”, as some government officials would want the public to believe. Barrow was also asked whether he has any concerns about what the inquiry may reveal about those former U.D.P. Ministers who claim to have had no knowledge of the Definitive Agreement.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“It is not the opposition saying that. The churches are saying that. The unions are saying that. The NGO is saying that. Trade and Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce is saying that when they presented their motion for a Senate inquiry on this matter that goes from former Minister Erwin Contreras to Prime Minister Briceño. That is what was passed in the Senate yesterday. So the social partners do not believe that we are flogging a dead horse. This is a live issue. We need to know why, according to the PUP, a corrupt UDP agreement was embraced and a conspiracy was afoot to pass that agreement into legislation. We need to unpack that issue because I have long screamed corruption. I have long said that they are vested interest. I have absolutely no concern because the difference between the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party is we are comfortable with calling a spade a spade. And when one of our colleagues does wrong, we call it out, we denounce it publicly. And that is what you saw happen. Nobody tried to make any excuses for former Minister Contreras. I certainly didn’t. The former Prime Minister didn’t. The Attorney General did not. Then again, what I believe is lost on the public and maybe some of you is Tracy Panton is not just the chair or was not just the chair of the Cabinet Investment Subcommittee. She was the Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Development, and she’s telling you that she did not know. So, I have no concern that this will paint my party as anything other than a party that holds its members accountable, a party that does not support corruption in any way and does not make excuses for corruption. So we have gained credibility in my view by coming out vehemently in objecting to the actions of Mr. Contreras. So I have no difficulty with the investigation unfolding, and I am confident that it will not lead to anyone else other than Mr. Contreras being indicted for those gross actions.”