Why Did PM Briceno Not Order an Independent Investigation?

Prime Minister John Briceño is once again weighing in on the Budna investigation; this time, responding to questions about why he didn’t go the route of an independent probe, as urged by his Home Affairs Minister, Kareem Musa. His comments come just days after he admitted the initial report he received was incomplete. As you know, the fallout has already seen Belize’s top cop placed on administrative leave, another officer interdicted, and ACP Suzette Anderson now leading the investigation. But here’s where it gets interesting, Anderson happens to be from the PM’s own constituency. So, did that influence anything? We asked him today, and here’s what he had to say.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Nobody has said no to an independent investigation. What I have said is that we will ask the police first to come with a report and based on that report we will decide if there is a need for an independent investigation. Then, we will do so. But, allow us to be able to get that report and then we will decide what to do.”

 

Reporter

“You called the report unsatisfactory and incomplete, can you say why?”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“It was unsatisfactory and incomplete because they did not have enough time to finish it. I think they did not expect me to demand the report. I gave them like twenty-four hours to finish that report. So, they did not have enough time and what was sent to me was unsatisfactory. So, I said we need to finish the report.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Is ACP Suzette Anderson a constituent of yours and could there be any possible conflict of interest.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Why would you ask such a leading question when you know the answer. Yes, you know the answer.”

 

Reporter

What would be the answer?

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“To the first part, obviously he knows, but you know the answer. Yes, she is a voter in Orange Walk Central, but I have had no discussion with her, absolutely none, even when the appointment was made to have the acting commissioner, I have not spoken with him, not by phone and not in person. I am allowing these professionals to do their job. I have every confidence in Bart Jones and Ms. Anderson to do what is right.”

 

Reporter

“Given how things have proceeded, don’t you feel from the get-go there should have been an independent investigation? The minister of police recommended that.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“If I had felt so we would have done it immediately. I feel that we need to give the police, the ones who do investigations in Belize, to do the first part. And when we decide to do an independent investigation who will be that person in Belize? Are we going to bring in a foreigner? If we bring in a foreigner unu wah get vex. If we bring in a next person, oh that one knows this one. So, lets us try to work the process. That is all I am asking. I am going to repeat it one more time. This was not sanctioned by the state. I can tell you, I had no idea of this going on. And if I should have known, I would have immediately said that should not happen in our government. So please, that should end now.”