Speaker of HoA Ingrid A. Moses chides Opposition for abuse of privilege
She voiced her concern in a statement shortly before the House adjourned for the day sometime after 11:00 pm. It was during the Eighth Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly during the debate on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) final report on the cruise pier project.
“Earlier in the proceedings I talked about members making statements in the House of Assembly as it relates to organisations and persons under the protection of immunity and privilege which does not extend outside of this Honourable House,” said Speaker Moses.
She noted that as was pointed out earlier in the debate, out of the 13 persons interviewed by the PAC, 8 of them signed letters saying that they have not seen their witness statements.
“This is almost 62 percent, almost a third of the persons interviewed and that says to me that they have a serious concern as it relates to the breach of the Standing Orders,” she said.
“The very fact that members are tossing around allegations, making statements, questioning persons’ character, questioning a whole lot of information and statements that would have arisen out of those meetings it is imperative and it is incumbent upon the committee to ensure that it complies with the Standing Orders,” she said.
“I think it is a great disservice that we have done not only to the House but also to the members, the public and to those who came before the Committee,” said the Speaker.
“We need to make sure when we come to the Honourable House to always abide by the Standing Orders…they are there for a reason,” she said. “To sit here and try to use the rules conveniently is unacceptable and irresponsible for all of us to do,” she said.
In response to the Speaker’s statements, Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA, in a comment to this news site, said that as a legislator and leader “I am both cognizant of my responsibility and rights and I need not be lectured by the Speaker of the House or the Premier as to my role.”
He said that the Speaker’s comments towards the end of the sitting were uncalled for as nothing said in the House was libelous or slanderous. “The information I gave is public knowledge…it is not information that I made up,” he said.
23 Responses to “Speaker of HoA Ingrid A. Moses chides Opposition for abuse of privilege”
If he had done this in court he would be DISBARRED! But for some reason he felt this was ok for the house of assembly and she sat there bigging him up. Two more years. Not a day more.
THIS SP...ER IS A DISGRACE TO DEMORACY AND FAIR PLAY SHE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED
Let's suppose he is the one who wrote the letter addresses them to the Speaker and the Opposition Leader have the witnesses sign it and he give them to the Speaker. Was it Eight letters or was it one letter signed by Eight persons? If it is the second then this is TAMPERING WITH THE WITNESSES which in the court of Law is a felony. This should be investigated by the PAC and turn over to the Public Persecution because this was done outside the HOA and has no immunity