Shyne Barrow’s Attorneys Remind Tracy Panton of Court Rulings Amid UDP Leadership Dispute

Reports reaching our newsroom are that the attorneys for Moses Shyne Barrow have been tasked to remind the Alliance for Democracy and Tracy Panton of the recent court rulings which she may have defied this past weekend.  It was only seven days ago that the Belize High Court delivered a ruling that was to prevent the Alliance for Democracy and its leader Tracy Panton from continuing acts of a takeover of the UDP.  In its 5-page document, the court noted that the two primary questions in the pending court matter are whether the October 20 convention was legit and whether Panton is still a member of the United Democratic Party.  The court also noted that the oral hearings for these arguments would be done on March 31 as a fixed date.  Between now and then, the court noted that the ruling handed down on November 8 remains in effect, essentially, with Moses Shyne Barrow in the leadership seat.  As part of the rulings dating back to November, the court had granted full access and control of the UDP headquarters to Barrow along with all its assets.  It had also indicated to Panton that there should be no interference in Barrow’s move to reoccupy the space, and that all matters should revert to the way it was until the court gives a final determination.  Despite this ruling, Panton remains insistent that she is the UDP Interim Leader and that she has the majority support of the party.  In a statement issued yesterday, Panton referred to herself and her associates as the new leadership of the UDP and continued the narrative that gives validity to the October 20 takeover.  Our newsroom understands that a letter from Barrow’s attorney has been sent to Panton’s lawyers indicating that her actions go against any possibility of mediation as suggested by the court.  As we reported last week, Panton had reverted to her title of UDP Representative for Albert after the court ruling.  It is uncertain what shifted since then to have her go back to the title of interim leader.  This is a developing story as the court has given a timeline for written submissions between January 6 and March 31 when the oral hearings will take place.