The political gloves are off tonight, as Prime Minister John Briceño and Opposition Leader Tracy Panton trade sharp accusations over corruption, character, and conduct in public office. The back-and-forth intensified after the Prime Minister took aim at Panton’s record in government during this weekend’s N.P.C. meeting in Dangriga, declaring that she has “no moral authority” to speak on corruption. Panton has since fired back, describing the remarks as defamatory, abusive, and an abuse of political power. She says the Prime Minister crossed the line and has now threatened legal action to protect her reputation. Tonight, we have both sides of the exchange, what the Prime Minister said, and how Panton is responding.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Tracy mih think that people forget how she give weh Boledo to a member fot eh Barrow government we have to remind her, who did she give the boledo to. We have to tell her she has no moral authority to talk about corruption, because Tracy has been one of the most corrupt minister the government have ever seen.”
Tracy Panton
Tracy Panton, Leader, United Democratic Party
“It is cowardice coming from the head of state. The only time the prime minister, let him present the evidence he has. I have served this country for twenty years in public service unblemished, given my blood sweat and tears to the work of nation building and he will come after me. I hope he knows what ants nest he is stirring. I say it because it is not acceptable to disparage of seek to defame or seek to malign a member of the National Assembly, the leader of the opposition at that, without any evidence.”
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
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