PM Says There’s no Need for International Investigation into William Mason

William Mason

Back to the Prime Minister’s press conference. The Opposition and other organizations have maintained the call for an independent investigation into the gruesome murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas. They say this is necessary because of Mason’s now evident ties to Cabinet Ministers and Police officers. The speculation is that in one scenario, those Police officers would be investigating their political bosses, and we all know how that would turn out. Today, the PM bristled at a suggestion that he did not want an international investigation into the Mason debacle.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“I said that I did not see any necessity for that; I will not close the door on it—I recollect saying—but I did not see any necessity. Don’t twist my words man. I am very careful in what I say because I try to be accurate and I try to be honest sir.”

Reporter

“So through the last press conference that you had on Friday to where we are today, do you maintain the same position? You still do not see the need for an international investigation. I understand that the U.S. Embassy may be saying they stand awaiting.”

Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“They have not said that to me. They’ve not said that to me.”

Reporter

“So at this point in time, has there been any change?”

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“I will tell you exactly what I said; I will repeat what I said on Friday. I do not see that there is a need for that. I’m not sure if you are talking about investigation into the murder and kidnapping; this man has been charged. The police found the head on their own; it never took any international help for that to happen. And they have charged this man. They are looking for the wife to charge her so they seem to have done more than a tolerably good job in that regard. With respect to trying to make the case, if the Director of Public Prosecutions, when she reviews the file, would wish any kind of forensic omissions, any kind of forensic blanks, to be filled in and we can get help for that from outside, I will be perfectly opened to it. If you are talking about the larger question of the conmanship of Mister Mason, I have said to you that the FIU is looking at it. We already have a sort of mutual legal assistance treaty and arrangement. If the FIU were to feel that indeed the U.S. or any external government or agency can help, I am absolutely certain that the director would request that sort of cooperation.”

Still on the matter of the investigation, the National Evangelical Association of Belize today called on the PM to allow for independent investigations into the murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas and the activities of William “Danny” Mason. NEAB believes that the Ministry of National Security, as well as other ministries of Government, have been unable or unwilling to police themselves either according to the rule of law or with freedom from political interference.   It says Belize has clearly reached a crossroads at which the “prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, and the due enforcement of all laws” are seriously compromised.