PM Say Minister Perez May Have to Pay Back September Salary

Prime Minister John Briceño

Prime Minister Briceño also responded to questions on Minister Andre Perez’s salary. The last time reporters caught up with the PM in San Pedro he indicated that Belize Rural South Area Representative was on a leave of absence without his ministerial salary. But three weeks after his leave of absence was granted a Government of Belize pay slip surfaced showing that he was still being paid in full. The Cabinet Secretary, Stuart Leslie, later explained that he failed to inform the Finance Officer to cut Perez’s pay.  Today, PM Briceño was asked if Cab Sec Leslie is taking the fall for him.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Really you wah ask me that question? Honestly, I feel offended cause when I said that. Nuh the laugh, I am being honest. No, but it is the truth because you are telling me I am lying. I asked he asked for a leave of absence, it is an unpaid leave of absence. He is not a Cabinet minister so how can he get his salary. Let’s start on the basis. And, it seems the Cabinet secretary did in fact forget to pass it down the chain of command that he should not get that salary. WE are hoping now the Cab Sec will speak with him and he will have to refund that first part that he got because he was not a minister of cabinet.”

Reporter

“But still gets paid as area rep?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Of course he is still an area rep and he gets the constituency development fund and he is still the representative for Belize Rural South.”

Reporter

“How do you feel about the fact that there is no police report against him?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“That is the point.”