But, PM Barrow would most certainly not concede that he was any part of that. Thought his name is brought up in two reports in the case involving his wife's brother in law, or the person that would be called his "cuncunu", Peter William Dahlstrom. The allegation in the report is that Dahlstrom - who has been married to Kim Simplis's sister for more than 20 years did not qualify for citizenship in 2012 because he did not have uninterrupted occupation in Belize for one year. And the suggestion by the PUP is that the Prime Minister who recommended him, somehow used his influence to get an irregular nationality and passport for this person. Today Immigration Minister Hulse who signed the nationality documents stepped up to explain away any suggestion of wrongdoing:..
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Police
"At the time when I signed this nationality certificate, it never dawn on me that this was the Prime Minister's wife brother-in-law, because I never spoke with the Prime Minister. There was no need to speak to the prime minister."
"A file came to me that says Swedish national Mr. Dahlstrom qualifies for citizenship under section 11 of the nationality act. He is married to a born Belizean Sharet Simpliss since 8th October, 1994 as recorded in marriage certificate blah, blah blah.. This file is submitted for your consideration or otherwise. That comes from head of department to the director. The director writes, Minister, meets legal requirements and recommended 22/10/12. I signed it. It was sent back, receipt was paid, oath of allegiance was taken and certificate was issued. I did scan the file and I noted that this was a legitimate marriage. Marriage took place in Sacred Heart Church. I notice also that all the other documentation in the file was regular. The audit report says that I failed to notice that it did not qualify because of the permanent required in Belize and she says, it was obvious to anyone who handle this file that after some note was written that Peter William Dahlstrom did not meet the one year residency requirements for nationality through marriage since it was specifically stated on the application."
"Well I can tell you she probably look at a different file from me, because one of the things I look for was the fact that the gentleman was married in 1994 and in 2012 that gave me something like 20 years almost or close and the law says and this is why I was surprised at the good gentleman from the opposition, because I had legal advice from Mr. Ghandi on this matter many times before who clearly made the point to me that when you are dealing with persons by marriage, the law says very clearly that the requirements for marriage under section 11 are as follows: that the applicant qualifies under paragraph A and C of subsection 1 of 10. That simply means that he is older than 18 and intends to be in the country. B) That the applicant has been resident in Belize throughout a period of 1 year immediately preceding the date of the application of such applicant and C) that the applicant is the spouse or widow of a Belizean. That's what it says. But it didn't stop there, because the drafters of the legislation were aware of this one year residency requirement and the fact is that people who are busy or people who are businessmen who go and come and would break that would never ever be able to be registered if they had to stay here for a year locked down from 1st January to 31st December. We are not a stupid country. So they put in a clause that says "for purposes of residency required specified in section 3B above, if any applicant marries a Belizean citizen such applicant shall be deemed to have been legally resident in Belize from the date of such marriage. Which means that Mr. Dahlstrom is deemed to be resident in Belize from that time."
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