BELIZE CITY, Tues. Feb. 2, 2021– The former Director of the National Sports Council, Ian Jones, has written to the Government of Belize to demand payment of $186,115 plus damages for what he considers his wrongful termination from his post as National Sports Director. Jones’ attorney, Orson Elrington, wrote on his behalf to the Minister of Sports, the Attorney General, and Chairman of the National Sports Council, and gave the Government 7 days to respond and make arrangements for giving Jones compensation for what he is asserting is a breach of contract.
Ian Jones, who is a known supporter of the UDP, was first appointed as the Director of the National Sports Council in early 2017. Jones, a resident of the Collet area, is also an open supporter of Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Patrick Faber, former Minister of Sports. His most recently revised fixed date contract with the Government of Belize should have been valid from May 2020 to May 2022.
His attorney says that Government breached clause 7 of the contract when they informed him of his termination, which Jones asserts was based on his political affiliation. Elrington says the contract also stipulates that termination could only occur if both parties mutually agreed, which he says was never the case. Jones never agreed to resign from his post as the Director of the Sports Council, he said.
His attorney is claiming salary and gratuity for the full remaining two years of his contract, and damages for breach of his constitutional rights. To date, the Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Council have not responded to multiple letters written by Jones’ attorney, according to reports.
In a release on social media, Jones said,” I feel disheartened to sue the sport council because I know the financial reality of the council but I have to do this. Not because of the money or not because of me, but because at some point some has to put their foot down to make a point that the political victimization is not right and that as citizens of Belize the constitution protects us from such.”
We will continue to follow the developments in this matter, which may very well end up in the courts.