Panton Ashcroft Yacht Meeting Sparks Funding Speculation

The recent meeting between Tracy Panton and Lord Michael Ashcroft on the Atlantic Goose yacht has raised eyebrows and caused widespread speculation that the meeting had more to do with UDP funding than the BTL acquisition.  For the government, while several ministers have not seen an issue with the meeting, the venue, they say, is questionable.  Since the meeting, Love News has been able to get feedback from the Prime Minister as well as Ministers Henry Usher and Kareem Musa.

Henry Charles Usher, Fort George Area Representative: “I’ll leave it for you guys to make comments on that. But I think it was in bad form to go on the yacht. I will say that, if you want to have a meeting do it in your office.”

Reporter: Have you been on the yacht? 

Henry Charles Usher, Fort George Area Representative: “I have not. I have not. I have not. I’ve only seen pictures that I have no intention of going on the Atlantic Goose ? That’s the name of it ? No intention.”

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize:“I think every leader has a responsibility to meet with anybody especially in the business community or in any way. I think it’s their responsibility. Now meeting on a yacht, no. That kind of makes you question the judgment. I think you could have met her somewhere else. But I think there’s nothing wrong with the opposition to see with Mr.Ashcroft or any investor in Belize.”.

Panton’s meeting with Lord Ashcroft was on Monday, January 12.  She was accompanied by the UDP Chairman, Sheena Pitts./