Yesterday we showed you the fiery exchanges in the Senate hearings. It was the first time that UDP Ministers Anthony Boots Martinez and Edmond Castro testified and they surely made quite an impression - launching sharp and cutting remarks at the Senators. Well, Anthony Boots Martinez doesn't think he was rude at all; he says he might have gotten a bit too riled up, but it's not anything out of norm when it comes to him. This evening in an interview Martinez explained as much and added that really, it's the Senators who should check their behavior.
Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez
"In my humble opinion I referred to what was before me in committee. I referred to what was in the senate report. I referred to what was the terms of reference of the committee. I need not to respond to anything outside of the committee."
Courtney Weatherburne
"You start talking about Miss Burgess wasn't a part of it. That's why you were agitated when they ask you about her?"
Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez
"Not because I was agitated talking about miss Burgess. If you want to get at the bottom of the thing, and that's why I maintain in my humble opinion that there is no way that Miss Burgess should have been called before anybody officially named in the report."
Reporter
"In some quarters they are saying that your attitude yesterday was pompous and arrogant."
Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez
"I don't know about pompous and arrogant. Stating a fact is being arrogant?"
Courtney Weatherburne
"But maybe in the manner in which you answered, the tone of voice that you use may have come across that way as disrespectful and rude."
Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez
"But arrogant have a meaning. And just like how I maintain recommendations have a meaning. Whatsoever is people's view and like I say I have no difficulty. That is me, that is my style. I believe in being factual. Maybe I kind of a little emotional even on interviews and so forth. But for me, I find myself was well in order. I find some of the questions that they were asking me out of order and I said it. They talk about being rude and disrespectful. I think the committee needs to look within themselves and see the manner in terms of talking about minister behavior and so. You ever listen to how they speak to witnesses - it's me asking the questions, not you..."
Courtney Weatherburne
"In your view they are the ones that are rude?"
Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez
"It's a two-way street and I think that if you take a close look on the senate inquiry, you will see many instances where people from that committee in my view were being abusive or disrespectful to the people who appeared before the committee."
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