Opposition Leader says Attorney General Can Sue if He So Wishes
Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte has threatened to sue the Leader of the Opposition John Briceño over comments Briceño made in his New Year’s Day message. In his address, Briceño did not call names but claimed that high ranking government officials were involved in the numerous drug plane landings across the country where the aircrafts are often found destroyed and the cargo long gone. Peyrefitte says that Briceño’s comments are slanderous and libelous unless he can produce proof. Peyrefitte gave Briceño twenty-four hours to provide the proof or face a lawsuit. Today, Briceño told the media that if it is the wish of the Attorney General to sue then so be it.
John Briceño
John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition
“I think that is the right of the Attorney General if he believes that he would wish to sue me for my remarks but the fact is certainly as a citizen I am very concerns about all of these drug planes landing in Belize. It is worrisome that the plane is landing east and the police go west. The plane land south and the police go north, always in the wrong direction.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Sir the AG is saying “show me the proof.” Where is the proof?”
John Briceño
“My whole thrust of my message is to have people able to talk about it and to make sure that we know that there is something here and that is has to be addressed. And who are the people in charge? Not you or me. It is the U.D.P. government and they seem to be able unable to handle or deliberately not wanting to handle it or certain people are involved.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Do you have proof, sir?”
John Briceño
“I have said enough for right now.”
Hipolito Novelo
“He wants the proof, according to the AG. Or take it to Interpol, the F.B.I. or someone.”
John Briceño
“I am not going through a back and forth. I think what is important for me more than anything else is for us to be able to understand that there is a serious, clear and present danger when it comes to this issue and that our government seems to be unable to handle it or does not want to handle it or tackle it head-on.”
