COMPOL Whylie Fails to Update Francis Fonseca on Progress of Criminal Investigation into Passport Scandal

Francis Fonseca

So while official verification of a warrant issued for Penner’s arrest is pending, his name was very much a part of matters in the House today. Following a writ of Mandamus issued by the Supreme Court, claimant in that case Francis Fonseca had written to Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie for an update on the criminal investigation. Fonseca gave Whylie a deadline of two pm today to respond. Today both Fonseca and PM Barrow weighed in on Penner, with Fonseca stating that up to midday he had not gotten a response from the Commissioner.

Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader

“The expiring of the statute of limitations as it relates to the second offense under the national passport act. So it is an important deadline and we feel that we are obligated in light of the order of the court to find out on behalf of the people of Belize what is the status of this investigation. Because we are approaching a long weekend and if action is to be taken I believe it should be taken today.

meet.”

Reporter

“Have you spoken to him to find out if he intends to even provide and update?”

Francis Fonseca

“No, no I have not had no personal contact with the commissioner. But like I said my lawyers have written to him on the record and we hope that this time he would respond. The last time he refused to respond and it is only by forcing him to go to court that we found out on behalf of the Belizean people that he in fact had made that determination not to investigate this matter. But now he has been ordered by the court to carry out an investigation and we expect that that investigation will be done and should be done. And we are once again reminding him that there is a deadline that we believe he should meet.”

Reporter

“How do you feel about the very strong words that the Chief Justice against the ComPol for not initiating an investigation in to Elvin Penner?”

Dean Barrow, Prime Minister

Dean Barrow

“Well I think you would have to talk to the commissioner about that. I’m not going to comment on that.”

Reporter

“Are you keeping a pace of the investigation, anything such as that?”

Dean Barrow

“Not at all sir, that’s not my business, the commissioner has his responsibility. He obviously is complying with the order of the court. How that is developing is a matter for him .”

This afternoon Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie issued a letter of response, stating quote – “kindly be assured that based on the Hon. Chief Justice’s rulings of March third, 2014, a criminal investigation was launched by the Belize Police Department. The findings of the investigations have since been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for her review, advice and instructions.” end quote. Sounds good, but late this evening we spoke to Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn Vidal. She stated categorically that she has received no file for review, advice and instructions. The DPP clarified that she met with investigators on Thursday, and at her specific request, received copies of some of the statements taken…but at no time was she given any file, and as far as she is aware the investigation is not done. Vidal was furious at the ComPol’s inference that she has a file and the matter is in her hands, and says nothing is further from the truth.