The first Senate meeting of the year was held today, and despite objections from the UDP, Eamon Courtenay held on to the position of leader of government business. UDP Senator, Michael Peyrefitte, wrote to the president of the Senate raising the issue that since Courtenay was no longer a minister, no government business nor public money business could be sponsored in the Senate.

Yesterday the president responded to Peyrefitte, saying that she sought out the legal advice of the Attorney General. This morning at the start of the meeting, she explained her decision to allow the meeting to continue despite Courtenay's resignation.

Carolyn Trench Sandiford, President of the Senate
"In ruling on the matter, I requested the legal opinion from the Honorable Anthony Sylvester, the attorney general and principal legal advisor to the government of Belize by virtue of section 42 of the Belize constitution. Based on his advice and my own considerations, I am satisfied that a) there is no need for the leader of government business in the Senate be a minister of member of Cabinet, b) the standing orders make a clear distinction between a minister and a senator uncharge of government business, and c) bills, motions, resolutions, or papers may be presented by the senator in charge of government business and considered by the Senate even where such senator is not a minister."

Eamon Courtenay, Leader of Government Business
"The notion and the history will show that Senator Douglas Singh, Senator Alfredo Martinez, and Senator Dickie Bradley served as leaders of government business in the Senate without being members of Cabinet or minister."