A No-confidence Motion is Filed Against PM Briceño

The United Democratic Party does not believe that Prime Minister John Briceño is fit to continue as head of government, neither is it of the view that he has the full support of his ministerial colleagues.  This morning, Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow tendered a no confidence motion to the clerk of the House of Representatives.  In the five-page letter, Barrow points out that the prime minister is no longer suitable to hold that position because he has failed to carry out his obligations, or make critical decisions on behalf of other members of Cabinet.  The parliamentary motion is intended to demonstrate to PM Briceño that he no longer enjoys the assurance of the elected members of the House.

Shyne Barrow

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“I submitted today to the clerk of the House of Representatives, according to the standing orders, a private member motion.  I wish we will take a vote of no confidence on the prime minister of Belize and his government.  Whether it is outlining the malfeasance, the nonfeasance of the prime minister in regards to the Portico Definitive Agreement, as has been listed out there, his cousin being the attorney for Portico Enterprises Ltd.  His Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and his Minister of Immigration have a law firm called Courtenay and Coye and they represent the CEO of Portico in his personal interest.  All of the allegations of nepotism, cronyism, self-enrichment that have engulfed the Briceno administration in relation to Portico.  The Special Senate Select Committee to investigate the genesis of the Portico agreement all the way to the confidential cabinet Memorandum 84 being submitted by the prime minister who is the Minister of Finance, and as he has said, “the buck stops with him.”  You can’t blame Christopher Coye.  And that is where we started with that saga and the evidence unfolded that the prime minister lied, he said that when he was asked about legal advice, he and the minister said they were seeking legal advice.  But as we now know, they had already gotten, at least the prime minister had gotten legal advice from Ben Juratowitch, King’s Counsel.”