By the WBWTN News Team | May 7, 2025
Belize City, (WBWTN) - After months of internal discord and legal wrangling within the United Democratic Party (UDP), Justice Tawanda Hondora has delivered a ruling in the legal dispute between Moses “Shyne” Barrow and Tracy Taegar Panton, bringing long-awaited clarity to two of the party’s most controversial recent events.
In a judgment that reflects a split outcome, the court ruled that while the expulsion of Hon. Tracy Panton in August 2024 was unlawful, the October 20, 2024 Unity Convention, held by her faction, was not a valid national convention under the UDP Constitution.
Key Takeaways from the Judgment:
The court found that Panton was denied due process and removed from the party in violation of its constitution. She was removed without being given a fair hearing or undergoing a formal review by the party’s Ethics and Integrity Committee, as required by the constitution.
However, the Unity Convention held in October 2024 seen by Panton’s supporters as a corrective measure did not meet the constitutional requirements and is therefore not binding on UDP members.
Panton’s Statement: A Call for Unity and Reform
Shortly after the ruling, Hon. Tracy Panton issued a press release via Facebook, stating that the court’s findings vindicated her stance. She criticized former UDP leader Moses Barrow and then-chairman Michael Peyrefitte for what she called “abuse of authority” and “constitutional defiance.”
Panton acknowledged that while the court deemed the Unity Convention invalid, it was held as a direct response to the leadership’s refusal to honor legitimate petitions for a lawful convention. She expressed a renewed commitment to party unity, announcing that she had received communication from UDP Vice Chairman Alberto August and First Deputy Leader Hon. Hugo Patt on the way forward.
“This is a moment of reckoning for the UDP. Let it also be a moment of rebirth.” – Hon. Tracy Panton
Shyne Barrow Reacts
Former UDP Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow took to Facebook shortly after the ruling, sharing only one message:
“OCTOBER 20TH WAS INVALID! JUSTICE!”
What’s Next for the UDP?
With the March 2025 General Elections now behind them and Shyne Barrow having stepped down as leader, the UDP faces a new chapter. Whether this ruling becomes a turning point for internal healing or further division depends on how both factions approach the road ahead.
As Vice Chairman Alberto August and Hon. Hugo Patt prepare to guide the party forward, members and supporters alike are watching closely to see if this moment leads to true reform or merely deepens the cracks within.
