Espat Responds to Walk-Outs at Senate Committee Amidst Controversial Cabinet Testimonies

He is known as an advocate for transparency and good governance, so what does Minister Julius Espat have to say about the recent walk-out at the Special Senate Select Committee? At two of its recent meetings, witnesses called to testify abruptly walked out during questioning. On October 16, Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie and Minister of State Chris Coye exited after both informed the Senate they were sworn to Cabinet confidentiality. And, just this week, former Minister Erwin Contreras, who signed the controversial definitive agreement, was before the Senate on the strength of a warrant. But he also walked out minutes after stating he was unable to answer any questions based on legal advice. Today, Espat was asked if he felt the men made the right decision and whether he would have done the same. 

Julius Espat, Cayo South, Area Representative: “I can only speak as an elected member of government. Our responsibility is to answer all questions. I have had the privilege of meeting you since you started and I have never stopped answering any questions you have asked me. I can only speak for myself. If I am asked I will answer, if I don’t have the answers I will tell you I don’t have the answers.”

Reporter: So then were you disappointed when they walked out instead of staying there to say “we don’t know.” We can’t answer?”

Julius Espat, Cayo South, Area Representative: “I can speak as an elected member I can only speak for myself. Everybody has a different approach. The funny thing with that one though is that in the case of the Cabinet Secretary his hands are bit tied. He’s bound by the secrecy of Cabinet so even if he goes he can’t answer what they want him to answer. The best thing he could have done was say “I can’t. I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.” I suppose. That’s a very tricky thing but it’s important that it’s happening. It’s important that we analyze all our systems of government and we post the questions and we see if our systems that we have in place are working or not. How will we know if we don’t test it ? Remember we’re only forty odd years old. So we have to go through that process to see if our systems are really working for us. Most of our systems we have in place; the secrecy of cabinet, the way parliament works, the way we manage in government, is a colonial system that we inherited so maybe it’s time that we analyze it properly and come up with better solutions which is what the constitution committee I suppose is working on.”

The committee has not announced a date for its next meeting.