Moses “Shyne” Barrow Loses Contempt Case against Tracy Panton

Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton has emerged victorious in a contempt case filed by Moses “Shyne” Barrow, who challenged her leadership claim. Barrow had sought to challenge Panton’s leadership claim, referencing a November 2024 court ruling that aimed to return the United Democratic Party (UDP) headquarters to its previous status.

Both Barrow and Panton claim to be the legitimate leader of the UDP.

However, Justice Hondora dismissed Barrow’s contempt claims, clarifying that the November ruling applied solely to the possession of the UDP headquarters on Youth for the Future Drive in Belize City, not to the leadership dispute.

Attorney Sheena Pitts elaborated on the decision. She said, “The court agreed with Peter Knox Casey that the order of November did not definitively establish that the party leader is Barrow.” She added that the ruling only addressed possession of the headquarters, not leadership, leaving that matter unresolved.

A recent court ruling also confirmed that Panton may continue calling herself the UDP leader. Barrow had filed legal action to prevent Panton from using the title, claiming it violated a November court decision that upheld the status quo.

Pitts defended Panton’s right, stating that both Panton and her supporters, as well as the media, are free to refer to her as the UDP leader, citing freedom of speech.

Pitts added, “The court concluded that the second application to injunct her from exercising freedom of speech in a political space could not be granted.” She added that both of Barrow’s applications had failed, and as a result, Panton and her legal team are entitled to recover legal costs.