Broaster Presents Evidence, Integrity Commission Faces Test in Mira Complaint

The evidence is in, the testimony is complete, and now the spotlight shifts to the Integrity Commission. UDP’s Belize Rural Central caretaker Edward Broaster appeared before the tribunal on Monday to defend the documents behind his corruption complaint against Oscar Mira. His attorney, Jacqueline Willoughby, says the evidence is factual and can be verified within the government system. But with their part now complete, Willoughby says the real question is whether the commission will act quickly, thoroughly and without political favor.

 

Jacqueline Willoughby, Attorney-at-law

“We did go to the tribunal yesterday. We did go to the tribunal yesterday. We have now submitted our evidence and what the… the manner in which the Integrity Commission works is, providing they have sufficient on their table, they would investigate and much like a commission of inquiry, they would pass the file to the DPP. We are now just in a waiting game, we’ve done our part and we are just waiting to see what happens next.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Yesterday, Mr. Broaster was called to testify. Is that how that process works? What does that entail?”

 

Jacqueline Willoughby

“It is a tribunal, so you go and you testify. A complaint was made, the act says, in Section 34 of the act, once a complaint is made, you submit certain documentation and then you go there and you defend that documentation, basically, and subject yourself to the questions of the commission.”

 

Reporter

“Do you believe that this case is and will continue to be taken seriously and that you guys will have a resolution, a timely resolution?”

 

Jacqueline Willoughby

“I would hope that we have a timely resolution. In terms of whether or not it is taken seriously, that is a matter for all of Belize to watch, and all of Belize should not encourage it to not be taken seriously.”

 

Paul Lopez

“How confident are you in the evidence that was presented by Mr. Broaster?”

 

Jacqueline Willoughby

“We are confident in the evidence. It was factual, it’s been all over the news, in the government system. There are places where they can go to look to verify if, in fact, there’s any doubt. But we are confident in what we submitted.”

 

Broaster has made his case, and now Belize waits to see what the Integrity Commission does next.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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