U.D.P. Ethics Committee Reviewing Rape Allegations, Says Party Leader
News Five continues to follow rape allegations made against a prominent Belizean attorney. As we have been reporting, two women made a police report claiming that the attorney allegedly raped them. So far, the Belize Police Department has put together a report, which has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. More than a week has passed, and to date, no charges have been levied against the alleged perpetrator. It is, however, a known fact that the individual being accused of this heinous act ran for public office under the U.D.P. banner. We can also confirm that the accused no longer holds any posts within the party since the allegations surfaced. Notwithstanding the individual’s resignation from all party posts, Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, says the party’s ethics committee has looked into the rape allegations. Here is what he told reporters when asked about the party’s probe into the matter:
Paul Lopez
“With such a serious allegation, what sort of investigation has been done internally and what sort of update can you give the public whose confidence you are seeking?”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“You know, brother Paul, when you talk, you keep talking about confidence that we are seeking and you want to turn everything into some type of indictment of the UDP. Let’s talk of Andre Perez.”
Paul Lopez
“Sir, but you are deflecting.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“No, no sir, your energy has to be consistent or you come across as bias. The gentleman has resigned from all party posts. The ethics committee and our party organs are reviewing the matter. There is limited review and investigation that can be done, because unlike other situations we have access to no police report, to no information, so we can say exactly what the victims haves said other than what has been reported in the news and we don’t know if that was accurately reported because we don’t know if the news got complete information. The DPP is still investigating so there is potential for further statements. So the matter is being investigated by the DPP. So it would be a bit difficult to have any type of thorough investigation and make any determination in this matter, when we don’t have all of the information. Unlike other situations where police reports have been leaked and the information is readily available. For some odd reason, in this particular instance I have not seen you the media, have not revealed who this person is. You are asking me these questions but you have not revealed who the person is.”
Reporter
“But we all know who the person is and you know who the person is.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“Ok, yeah.”
