Opposition Leader Demands that PM Barrow Fires Ministers Involved

John Briceño

Three hours prior to the Prime Minister’s conference, Leader of the Opposition John Briceño hosted his own press conference, calling on PM Barrow to take immediate and swift action against the two accused U.D.P. ministers.  Briceño is demanding that the Prime Minster disclose the identity of the ministers; he calls on the duo to immediately resign. If that does not happen, Briceño wants the PM to fire them from cabinet.

John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition

“Belizeans have seen the evidence that Lev Dermen received Belizean nationality under questionable circumstances. You, the press, have reported that two U.D.P. ministers went to Cabinet to recommend that Dermen be made a diplomat and we have heard the reports that US government intervene to stop this man who can only be considered a criminal to be appointed a high ranking Belizean diplomat carrying diplomatic credentials gifted to him by this government. If such a recommendation was indeed made, and I believe it was, then the Prime Minister knows who made them. He would also know who allegedly received those bribes. I am therefore calling on the Prime Minster to disclose the identity of the two U.D.P. ministers who have been associated with Lev Dermen and I call on the two U.D.P. ministers in question to immediately step down. Because I have no confidence that these individuals have the integrity to do the right thing I call on the Prime Minister to immediately fire them from his cabinet. I call on the relevant authorities free from U.D.P. interference to commence an investigation into the finances of these two ministers with a view to criminal prosecution. This must be done know. There is enough to warrant it.”