When is Ex-D.P.M. Coming Back to House?

Gaspar Vega

For the sixth consecutive meeting of the House of Representatives dating back to his resignation as Minister of Agriculture and formerly National Resources, Orange Walk North area representative Gaspar Vega was absent. Indeed, he has not spoken publicly since the Government decided to bring a claim against his son Andre and attorney Sharon Pitts to return compensation of eight hundred thousand dollars for a deal on prime property near the Haulover Bridge. But not even Prime Minister Dean Barrow knows what’s keeping his former Deputy Prime Minister away from the House, although he told reporters that Vega is not looking to give up his House seat anytime soon.

Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“First of all as to his [being] missing, that’s something you should talk to him about; I don’t know why it is that he has not been attending the meetings; but as to penalties, no, because as I recollect, you would lose your seat if you miss six consecutive meetings in a three-month period, so I’m sure he is aware of the rule and is making very sure that he will not violate the rule. It is my sense that Honorable Vega does not intend to give up his constituency; does not intend to resign his seat and I suspect and believe that it is just a matter of time before he starts re-appearing in the National Assembly.”

According to the Prime Minister, no one ordered that Vega’s name plate on his House seat be removed from its current position to the backbench, which was seen as a sign of disrespect. Vega has said he will not contest the next general election and is subject to recall since eighteen months have elapsed from the first sitting of the current Parliament.