Back to politics now - the UDP is preparing for a national convention in March. And everyone had more or less agreed that with the party about to face its most dramatic shakeup in 20 years when Leader Dean Barrow steps down - there would be no challenges at this year's convention, since some VERY major challenges are expected at the next one in two years' time. But, enter Mark King. The soundly defeated former Lake I Representative wants to challenge Alberto August for Party Chairman. Today we asked Party Leader Barrow if this throws a wrench into the works:...
Reporter
"I notice that Mark King has indicated that he will aspire of the chairman post."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"This is official or?"
Reporter
"His Facebook is official yes."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Well he is perfectly free to do that. I just wasn't sure that that was in fact the case. The deadline for submission for applications I believe is next Friday. I don't know whose actually formally applied, who has not. What's up for re-election: party leadership, deputy party leaderships, first and second, chairman and vice chairman. I am really not aware at this point of who all may have applied and of course there is still a week to go so. Even if I knew what names have been submitted so far, that soundly be conclusive because as I said you still have a full 7 days more."
Daniel Ortiz
"What are your thoughts on him being elected as chairman?"
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"I just said, he has a right to aspire. The delegates will decide."
King only posted on his Facebook page that he would be unveiling his plan to make a bid for the Chairman's post - but since then that post has been taken down.
Bashing The Ombudsman
Today the Government's majority in the House of Representative renewed the contract for Ombudsman, Lionel Arzu. He'll serve in that office for one more year after today's extension, but before it was passed, Opposition Party Leader Francis Fonseca noted that his side of the house could not support Arzu being returned to the office. Here's the debate on that issue:
The Contractor General's contract was also extended at today's house meeting.
Fresh Face At FIU
But, while those two officials have kept their jobs, Eric Eusey is no longer the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit. He's been replaced by Joy Grant, the Former Minister of Energy, Science and Technology, and Public Utilities.
Today we asked the Prime Minister if the controversial and costly Titan Securities case, for which the Government has been ordered to pay 8.8 million dollars in damages, played a role in Eusey's departure:
Daniel Ortiz
"We note that there is a new FIU Director sir. Can you discuss that with us why the change?"
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Because the contract of the old FIU Director came to an end."
Daniel Ortiz
"Was that Titan issue ever a consideration as to why his contract was not renewed?"
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"No man. His contract came to an end the end of December well before the judgement in this case and we had to give notice before the contract actually ended as to whether we would renew or not and we did indicate I am sure as early as mid-December or early December that we were going to have a change."
Eusey served as Director for only 1 year, and his replacement, Joy Grant, is the 5th Director to take charge of the organization since its inception.
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