U.D.P. Condemns Senator and CabSec for Walkout

The United Democratic Party has issued a statement strongly condemning the actions of Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Senator Christopher Coye, Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie, and Senator Eamon Courtenay for their dismissive appearance before the Senate Special Select Committee on Wednesday morning. The opposition says that their public display of disrespect towards the committee reflects the P.U.P. administration’s disregard for democratic values of accountability and transparency. Following the advice of Lead Senator for Government Business, Eamon Courtenay, the two key witnesses in the committee’s investigation refused to answer questions and walked out of their testimony without being dismissed by the Chair. The release goes on to say, “Contrast the approach taken in this Portico Inquiry by the P.U.P. administration with that of the immigration inquiry into the U.D.P. administration and the difference is night and day. Several U.D.P. Ministers of Government appeared before the committee and took questions for many hours. Even while asserting privilege, never has a U.D.P. official disrespected the authority of the Senate like witnessed in today’s hearing. Such disdain for the Senate cannot be countenance”.