Hon. Alvin Christopher said the sitting of the House of Assembly on July 26, 2012 was illegal considering that the House was in prorogue and voted against the motion that the minutes be recorded. Speaker of the House, Hon. Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe, ruled that the house was legally sitting on July 26, 2012. Photo: VINO/File

Hon. Christopher brought this argument at this morning’s first sitting of the second session of the second house of assembly. 

In his argument, the Representative for the second district stated that the existing minutes recorded for July 26, 2012, should be removed, because the house was supposed to be in prorogue. 

In light of this, he added that “it cannot form part of the accurate minutes in the record of this house… it should go on record that it never happened.” 

Meanwhile, Acting Attorney General Ms. Fikile Dlamini, said “To my recollection, the house on that day did its business and then prorogued on the same day on the July, 26.” 

She added for purposes of the argument she would assume that the House was sitting properly so the minutes are not ultra vires.In regards to a suggestion coming from the Representative for District 9 and leader of the Opposition, Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, where he suggested that a new date be reissued by the Governor if there are any legal concerns, Ms. Dlamini said “We do not count the 26th, it counts from the day after," according to the Interpretation Act Cap. 136. 

In conclusion of the argument Hon. Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe, Speaker of the House, ruled that the house was legally sitting on July 26, 2012.

All of the members of the National Democratic Party (NDP) voted for the minutes to be accepted and recorded, while three members of the opposition, Hons. Fahie, Christopher and Fraser voted against. 

Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE abstained from the vote.