Senate debates corruption inquiry next week

BELMOPAN (CMC):

The opposition People's United Party (PUP) says it has filed a motion requesting a Senate inquiry into the controversy that has already led to the dismissal of Immigration Minister Elvin Penner.

PUP Senator Lisa Shoman said she has received official confirmation from the Clerk of the National Assembly and that the motion will be debated when the Senate meets next Wednesday.

"The Senate has very specific powers and functions under the Constitution, and so what you will see is the language taken from the Constitution so as to be very careful that we are following it. And it will be specifically to investigate and to look into corruption and wrongdoing, whatever it is, because we have heard the minister responsible for immigration say that there is corruption," she told Channel 5 Television.

"We think the Belizean people have the right to know what is the extent of the corruption and the wrongdoing, particularly in a case where public officers are being called out, are being made to look as though they acted alone, and there is seemingly no one else responsible," the opposition legislator said.