7 News Belize

“Yellowman” and Dr. Zabs Appear Before House Committee
posted (December 3, 2019)
Today, Mace-Bearer Brian Yellowman Audinett appeared before the House Staff Committee to answer to complaints that he threatened a senator within the walls of the House of Representatives. That Senator is the PUP's Dr. Louis Zabaneh.

The meeting started at 2:00 pm and we saw Yellowman waiting around for about two Horus before he was called inside.

Also waiting around was Dr. Zabaneh - in case the Chair of the committee, House Speaker Laura Longsworth called him.

We spoke to Zabaneh while he was waiting:

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, P.U.P. Senator
"I think they need to do right by this country. We have a macebearer position that is a position of integrity. We require people who have good moral character to be holding that position. I have been the victim of this gentleman holding this position when he is certainly not qualified to hold that position."

Reporter
"Why have you proceeded in this case with a criminal complaint?"

Dr. Louis Zabaneh
"Well it occurred within the national assembly itself and it was not a political opponent of mine. It was someone holding this position of macebearer."

Reporter
"Sir what if the outcome of this is that Mr. Audinett just gets a slap on the wrist?"

Dr. Louis Zabaneh
"I will discuss it will by colleagues and attorney and we will go from there."

Reporter
"How would you feel about that?"

Dr. Louis Zabaneh
"Well if he just gets a slap on the wrist well in the first instance the people are watching this case. The people want to see if this government is serious about doing things the right way so it is certainly not in the best interest of the government to entertain this kind of behavior. So in a sense they are between a rock and a hard place."

...Or, no place at all. We say that because the Staff Committee just had a regular meeting where the matter against Brian Audinett was a sidebar. The UDP Attorney General told us why:

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"We decided that it is not a matter that would fit the criteria on an agenda item on the national assembly staff committee meeting, so we agreed that the Speaker would ask for the presence of both Senator Zabaneh and 'Yellowman' Audinett and hopefully the Speaker can sit down and have a conversation with them, let them know, remind them the importance of both their roles and hopefully we can move past it."

Reporter
"There are many in the PUP and I believe Mr. Zabaneh included who would wish that Yellow with all what they believe are various offences against the high office that he holds, should be sent home."

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"I think the PUP would wish for a lot of things. Sent home on what basis?"

Reporter
"Because of his conduct against a member of parliament and against a member of the gallery was in their opinion reproachful."

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"What did he do?"

Reporter
"The claim is and there are 2 sides..."

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"The claim didn't even standup to the scrutiny of the police department."

"He made a formal complaint to the police department. He never made a formal complaint to the House or the Senate so let it be a police matter and I do agree with the commissioner of police, if you believe that the macebearer has defamed you, well then take the matter up in civil court."

Reporter
"But sir, this looks all appease to the UDP set up, in so far as we know that the political directorate and the police department works hand in hand. We know that you all have the majority here in the house. So I'm saying you all have the game rigged, Mike."

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"The political directorate does not work in concert with any police department. The police department is free to investigate, charge or don't charge whoever, whenever they want. That's the truth of the matter. There is no conflating of the two."

Reporter
"At the end of the day you know the allegations and you may know the counter allegations by Mr. Audinette. Did, in your opinion Mr. Audinetts act in a reproachful manner as has been characterized?"

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"I was not there, I don't know. You have evidence of it? Can you produce me a video of it? You have he said - he said, Mr. Zabaneh will say a certain thing, Yellowman I am pretty sure will say another thing. Where is the proof? If you have evidence, bring it."

Reporter
"Sir, is Yellowman out of control?"

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"Not as far as I know."

Reporter
"Is he untouchable?"

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"Never. Nobody is untouchable, not even you."

Florencio Marin Jr., Area Representative, Corozal South East
"Just as the Attorney General just said there wasn't a written formal report. There was one made to the police, yes and it was sent to the Speaker and to the Clerk. So what they are asking, after some heavy debate, there will be a sit-down meeting with Senator Zabaneh and the macebearer as well if Senator Zabaneh could write a formal report about it."

Reporter
"How do you feel about that outcome?"

Florencio Marin Jr.
"Well I think we have to see how that meeting will proceed within three of them."

Reporter
"The public will say it's just a formality. We know what the man says he did and should he be cautioned or some sanctioned, some measure be taken against him for that."

Florencio Marin Jr.
"I would like to see that meeting take place. I wasn't around for that incident, whilst I do believe Dr. Zabaneh. I think they have to sit down and trashed that out, Yes Brian Audinette, his conduct as a macebearer leaves a lot to be desired. But that's a whole different story. This particular incident I think with the sit down and Dr. Zabaneh writes a formal report."

As you heard, both Audinett and Zabaneh went to meet with the speaker after the meeting to try and work out their differences. We don't know what came out of it - because that meeting extended past our deadline.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize