Belize Telecoms company seized

The Belize government has nationalised the country\'s leading telecommunications company, Belize Telemedia.



The House of Representatives approved the takeover of the company, which is owned by Lord Ashcroft, a deputy chairman of Britain\'s opposition Conservative Party.



Mr. Ashcroft who has extensive business interests in Belize has recently been involved in a series of legal disputes with local authorities.



In a statement, Telemedia has called the nationalization both unconstitutional and unlawful.



The parliamentary opposition has said the action sends a negative message to investors.