Barrow Castigate PM Briceno Over High Court Appointments

Shyne Barrow

Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow also went on to call out the prime minister for not making time to properly consult with him on the appointments, as stipulated by the Constitution. He went on to say, “you have degraded and downgraded your constitutional responsibility to a mere half page letter”.

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“I believe a terse letter signed by the Cabinet Secretary is not sufficient.  Again, I believe the entire process of advertisement and making sure that there’s an encouraging, fertile soil there for Belizeans to grow just doesn’t exist under the Briceño administration.  And, as I’ve said, I’ve made these complaints in the past only to be dismissed.  Consultation requires that where the input is given and duly considered and the suggestions are not heeded that there would be a response to say, “We take you’re suggestions into consideration but this how we feel and so we will proceed.”  We don’t even see that in the exchanges that have been happening over the last three years.”

Reporter

“In the case of Michelle Arana, if you ask the PUP, they will say that she did not apply for the position.”

Shyne Barrow

“Yes, they say that about everybody, then they say, “Oh, well you know, it doesn’t matter who applies because we don’t have anything to do with that.  It’s the [Legal] and Judicial Services Commission.”