Was S.O.E. Premature? Chester Calls Out Mike Peyrefitte

Chester Williams

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams also commented on the statement made by former Police Minister Michael Peyrefitte that the declaration of a state of emergency on the Saint Martin’s area was premature and unwarranted. 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Man, Mister Peyrefitte was the Minister of National Security; we did three S.O.E. under his leadership. And everyone, including you the media who are not lawyers, who have never been the minister, you all know that when it comes to a state of emergency the Minister of National Security or Home Affairs does not sign any declaration. The declaration for an S.O.E. is signed by who, Jules?”

Reporter

“…the Governor General.”

Chester Williams

“Thank you very much. So for him to say that the minister signed a declaration for the state of emergency is again it’s total nonsense. And then to make matters worse, he says that it was called unannounced. For Christ’s sakes, have we ever announced a state of emergency? Have we? If you announce it, you defeat the purpose. You’ll be alerting the persons who supposed to be picked up in the S.O.E. that you are coming for them and they will go on the run. So again, for him to say that it was unannounced, he knows better. But again, it is all being done in an effort to feed the Belizean people with a bunch of nonsense.”