-Superbike competitor John Bennett says

SUPERBIKE competitor, John Bennett, has blasted People’s National Congress-Reform (PNC-R) Executive Member, Gary Best, for attempting to use the ongoing strike action by teachers to advance his political ambitions.

He said that such was being done even as Best is overlooking his own transgressions, specifically as it relates to the death of businessman and former national cyclist, Jude Bentley.

Bentley died after he was struck down by a vehicle driven by Best on February 8, 2020. A police report of the incident at the time stated that Bentley was riding along the Rupert Craig Highway near the Russian Embassy when he was hit by Best and dragged several feet from the point of impact.

Best was arrested at the scene, and two breathalyser tests were administered. Both tests reportedly revealed that he was way above the legally-prescribed alcohol limit.

He was later charged for the offence of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while under the influence of alcohol.

However, these charges were later dismissed by a City Magistrate due to insufficient evidence. During Best court hearings, the family and friends of the dead biker would protest outside of the court seeking justice, which they never got.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had moved to the Court of Appeal to overturn the magistrate’s decision to dismiss the case against Bess.

In recent times, Best has played a prominent role in the protest action orchestrated by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) in collaboration with his opposition counterparts.

“It’s disheartening to witness Gary Best, a former Chief-of-Staff of the GDF [Guyana Defence Force] and now a member of the PNC-R, attempting to leverage the teachers’ strike to advance his political ambitions,” Bennett, a member of the Sonic Hunters motorcyclist club, wrote on his Meta Facebook page.

Notably, during the strike action, the PNC-R Executive Member while on the picket line said: “Those who think that it [strike action] is being politicised, it is being politicised,” while giving his rationale behind the view and stating that it is because the government is a “political entity.”

This statement was a stark contrast to what the GTU has been claiming since the commencement of the strike.

Additionally, even though protesters were yelling, “we ain’t playing politics,” Best later gave media operatives a different message, last Wednesday.

Adding to this, Bennett highlighted Best’s call for immediate intervention for teachers and said that the PNC-R Executive Member must not forget his past and instead own up to his actions.
“When faced with the consequences of your actions, you sought time for reflection and support from friends and family after the tragic incident involving Jude Bentley. It’s a stark contrast to your current demands for swift action,” Bennett wrote.

In the blunt post, Bennett further deemed it outright “unacceptable” for Best to possess such a prominent role within the political arena given his previous actions.

“Your involvement in the teachers’ strike feels disingenuous, especially considering the lack of accountability for your past actions. Using the plight of educators to bolster your image while avoiding the repercussions of your own behaviour is shameful,” the superbike competitor bluntly stated.

Furthermore, he implored the public to ensure that any indication of double standard exhibited by the Executive Member of the PNC-R is not left unaddressed.