Court Hears UDP Leadership Dispute as Barrow Rejects Panton

The High Court has heard arguments in the legal dispute over UDP leadership, brought by former Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow against Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton and former UDP Secretary General Philippa Bailey. Barrow’s attorney, Christopher Malcolm, argued that the October 20th “unity convention” was invalid due to procedural failures, including improper notice and a lack of evidence verifying voter eligibility.

Meanwhile, the defense, led by King’s Counsel Peter Knox, defended the delegates’ right to vote, asserting that their decisions should stand. However, Barrow insisted the event did not follow UDP rules.

Following the hearing, Barrow spoke with the media:

“I heard the learned Justice Hondora repeatedly question the defendants as to their contradictory positions, which is that the rules were not followed in regards to the expulsion and dismissal of Tracy Panton. Yet, when it comes to the rules and the compliances necessary for the October 20th event that they held, they’re saying that they didn’t have to follow the rules.”

Barrow explained that while he had initially stepped down in the hope of resolving internal UDP disputes, Panton and her faction refused to recognize the process he believed should have been followed.

“What proceeded was Ms. Panton saying, ‘Shyne didn’t need to resign. We resigned him October 20th,’ maintaining that she and her cabal are the central executive and the duly elected leaders, which I reject, Alberto August rejects, Shari Medina rejects. A majority of us reject.”

Barrow argued that this lack of consensus made it necessary to continue the court proceedings to resolve the dispute. He insisted that the UDP’s National Party Council (NPC), led by Alberto August, remains the only legitimate body capable of determining leadership matters.

“For those of us that would want to be Prime Minister of this country one day or to sit in Cabinet or even to sit in the National Assembly, we have to demonstrate to the public that we adhere to the rule of law and that we will be compliant with whatever oath of office it is that we take,” Barrow added.