6 term Toledo East Representative Mike Espat died on Monday night - and while plans are being made for his funeral - there is still some internal discord in the PUP about events preceding his death.

Thats because two weeks before his passing - Espat was publicly challenged for his seat by CEO in the Ministry of Economic Development Osmond Martinez - the same Ministry where Espat is a Minister of State.

Now, to be fair, we will stress that the man they rightly called Iron Mike could hardly be frightened by a neophyte like Martinez - but today his cousin Julius passionately explained that its the disrespect:

Julius Espat, Minister - MIDH
He was the master of the backbench. He could destabilize anybody, just that I knew him. And so when he would be as forceful as I am, I would tell him, Mike, let us not talk because we will quarrel. And we can't go down that road.

Jules Vasquez
"He criticized housing."

Julius Espat, Minister - MIDH
"He criticized everything."

Jules Vasquez
"But in the House."

Julius Espat, Minister - MIDH
"Yes!"

Jules Vasquez
"He said that, you build houses and put no plumbing or piping for it."

Julius Espat, Minister - MIDH
"Yes. And Mike is Mike. And so when he told me that I go check with the guys, I said, boy did you put the plumbing or not? I don't want them to rale up."

"Who pressured us to do the Joe Taylor Bridge. Mike Espat. All those things we are paving right now in PG?Mike Espat. Beat us with a stick, literally. Bwai, CEO Mike is coming. Everybody dash!"

"All those area reps around there, Toledo West, Stann Creek, all those guys wouldn't be there if it wasn't for Mike."

"I remember when we were in opposition. All of them in one car eating sandwiches, bully beef. Come to Belize City to my office to try, lobbying again. I learned from him. I never agreed with him a lot of times. But I respected him and and his people loved him. You can't five times if your people don't love you!"