During the debate on a motion to authorize the Minister for Finance to borrow $40,000,000.00 by way of an overdraft facility from local banks, the Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition, Dr. Keith Mitchell was ordered to leave and was removed by the sergeant at arms whilst he was making his contribution towards the debate.

When Dr. Mitchell made reference to what he considered to be the politicization of the debushing programme, two members on the Government side without permission of the Speaker, shouted to the Leader of the Opposition to specify where that was taking place.  The Leader of the Opposition spontaneously responded saying that it was happening all over the country.

At that point the Minister for Finance rose on a point of order, stating that the Leader of the Opposition was speaking directly to members, instead of speaking through the Speaker, inferring that he was in breach of the rule of the House.  The Speaker immediately demanded that the Leader of the Opposition respond to the allegation which was made by the Minister for Finance to which the Leader of the Opposition stated that he had no comments to make.  The Speaker then ruled that the Leader of the Opposition was in breach of the rules of the House and that he was suspended for the rest of the sitting and ordered the Sergeant at Arms to remove him from the House. In consequence, the other members of the Opposition joined the Leader of the Opposition in leaving the House.

Members of the Opposition are of the opinion that the Speaker acted unfairly and unreasonably in the circumstances, as at no time was the Leader of the Opposition acting in a grossly, disorderly manner.  Generally in parliamentary proceedings all over the world, members do sometimes speak across the floor to other members. In those circumstances, it is the general practice for the Speaker to ask the member or members to refrain from engaging in such practice.

In the present case, no such advice was given to the Leader of the Opposition. Rather, he was immediately suspended for the rest of the sitting by the Speaker.  Additionally, it must be noted, that no disciplinary action was taken against the members on the Government side who initiated the exchange of words.

Over the last year, members of the opposition have observed that a concerted effort is being made to suppress the views of the opposition. The action by the Speaker today is further confirmation of the emerging trend which threatens democracy in the highest institution of the state.

The audio of what transpired, as the Speaker of the House totally ignored the fact that members of the Government spoke directly to the Opposition Leader without his (the speaker of the house) permission can be found HERE