Opposition Leader, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) denounces Speaker’s actions as ‘unprofessional & disrespectful.’ Photo: VINO/File

‘Unprofessional and disrespectful,’ is the label ascribed to actions of the Speaker of House of Assembly (HoA), Honourable Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe, when she adjourned the sitting on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, but not before responding publicly to a private missive sent to her by the Opposition Leader, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1). Photo: VINO/File

The revelations were had during an interview on ‘Honestly Speaking’ with host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, and the Opposition Leader some hours after the adjournment.

Providing some insight into what exactly transpired, Hon Fahie told Mr Skelton-Cline, “On November 22 [2018], after receiving notice first via WhatsApp, and then by a summons from the Speaker stating that we were going to have a sitting, on the November 27, (1018),” and “recognizing that the Standing Orders clearly states; ‘To post or otherwise dispatch a notice paper of a sitting to each member not less than 10 days before the date of such a sitting,” Hon Fahie said he decided to write the speaker since “that’s clear law.”

10-Day Period 

The Opposition Leader pointed out to the host and radio listeners that the notice served for the sitting by the Speaker was in breach of the Standing Orders since there was no 10 day notification period.

Hon Fahie was adamant, “my history has been one where I’ve been fighting to have the tenets of good governance and the tenets of democracy adhered to at all times, especially in the House of Assembly which is the highest lawmaking body.”

In writing the Speaker over the violation of the Standing Orders, Fahie noted that, “the integrity of the House of Assembly cannot be allowed to be compromised, at all times the integrity of our institution must be upheld.”

The Opposition Leader divulged that having written to the Speaker, he waited for a response and while he did received an e-mail acknowledging receipt of correspondence, she stated that another response would be forthcoming, to which he acknowledged.

Until Today 

According to Hon Fahie however, “I never heard anything until today [November 27, 2018], when I went to the House and the Speaker got up in the beginning and she read my letter, but then she also read her letter to the House of Assembly.”

“Someone writes you, you write them back… If you want to consult with them and say given the nature of this, I have to make it public, whether I agree or not, that would be up to you,” he said.

“At least don’t let me hear for the first time… your response to my letter in front of all the other elected members because there might be areas that I need to have further clarifications and further queries,” Fahie said.