The viral video of Port Loyola Area Representative Gilroy Usher tearing down a constituent’s fence has now drawn a response from within his own party. The incident unfolded over the weekend during a heated land dispute and has raised questions about the conduct expected of an elected official. Today, we asked PUP Chairman Henry Charles Usher whether the area representative should face disciplinary action. While he stopped short of calling for sanctions, the party chairman says Gilroy Usher owes the resident an apology.
Henry Charles Usher
Henry Charles Usher, Chairman, PUP
“I think that if you ask Gilroy Usher, he will tell you that perhaps his actions were not in the best interest. He could have done it in so many different ways. If there is a legal issue then let the matter go through the court, if it is a police issue then let the police deal with it. But for an area representative to be doing that, I think it is something you would want to take back.”
Paul Lopez
“Have you reached out to him, has anybody in the party reached out to him to offer some advice?”
Henry Charles
“No, I was kind of busy with this convention. So I have not gotten an opportunity to speak with him as yet. But I am sure he is going to address it when he gets the opportunity and my advice to him would be simple, apologize to the person and lets see what the legal process is.”
Paul Lopez
Does this not warrant some level of disciplinary action to put yourself out there in that manner and it creates some stain for the party.”
Henry Charles
“I think it warrants an apology and him going through the right process to make sure the legal aspects are dealt by the entities that are suppose to deal with it, the courts, the police, etc.”
Gilroy Usher Apologizes, But Defends His Intervention
Was it a coincidence, or a carefully timed message from the government? Days after Port Loyola Area Representative Gilroy Usher was caught on video tearing down a fence during a heated land dispute, a Ministry of Home Affairs advertisement is reminding Belizeans to resolve these conflicts through the proper legal channels. Usher has since apologized, admitting that his actions on Saturday were inappropriate. But he continues to defend his decision to intervene, claiming he was protecting a family that has been unable to access its legally titled property since 2024. Usher now wants both sides, along with law enforcement, to move away from confrontation and find a peaceful solution. First, here is a portion of that government advertisement.
We will continue to follow the land dispute to see how it plays out.
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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