Tracy Panton Urges Court to Fast-Track Case Over UDP Leadership Dispute

Tracy Panton, leader of the Alliance for Democracy has applied to the Belize High Court to expedite the matter surrounding the UDP leadership.  Her application was filed yesterday through attorney Ellis Arnold, asking that the court hearing be converted to a trial for January 10, 2025.  The application indicated that the urgency stems from the fact that the general election is imminent and could be called anytime next year. In her defence, Panton has informed the court that she is the duly elected leader of the United Democratic Party, and that Michael Peyrefitte is not the Chairman nor is Alberto August the Deputy Chair.  Additionally, the affidavit to the court indicates that Phillipa Bailey-Griffith is a trustee of the UDP and that the headquarters’ land was transferred to her in trust, and therefore holds the legal right to manage the land.  The affidavit continues by indicating that she (Panton) along with Patrick Faber were never expelled from the United Democratic Party, and that at no point did the Alliance trespass on the UDP headquarters.  Despite her claims, the current situation is that the court had granted Moses Shyne Barrow full access to the UDP Headquarters and had ruled that Panton and the Alliance cease and desist from their takeover of the offices and the party’s organs, namely The Guardian and Wave Radio.  Barrow had taken the matter to court last month and had won that round in the courts with a further hearing set for January 14, 2025.  This hearing is expected to set the stage for the court and all parties involved in the determination of several factors within the UDP.  In his request to the court, Barrow is seeking a legal ruling surrounding the leadership of the UDP; the rightful occupants of the party’s headquarters; a permanent injunction against Panton from declaring herself as party leader, as well as damages for unlawful possession and conversion of property and exemplary damages.  As we noted, Panton’s application was filed yesterday with a response from the court pending.  We will keep following the developments of this matter.