Opposition Leader and Member of Parliament for Arima, Pennelope Beckles, has been referred to the Privileges Committee, stemming from a walkout staged by Opposition MPs last Friday and a subsequent public statement accusing the Speaker of the House, Jagdeo Singh, of bias.
This was announced by Deputy Speaker of the House, Dr. Aiyna Ali. on Friday, right after the Opposition Leader completed her response to the budget presentation.
The complaint, received from the Couva South MP Barry Padarath, alleged that the Opposition Leader’s statement brought the Speaker’s impartiality into question and tarnished the integrity of the House.
“The Member of Parliament for Couva South has raised a matter of privilege based on the submission that the Member for Arima attempted to bring into disrepute the independent democratic work of the House of Representatives in the eyes of the public for political gain by questioning the independence of the Presiding Officer. The Member for Couva South submitted that this was an act of, and I quote, ‘constructive contempt’ against the House of Representatives. Breaching the privilege of the House as the Member’s actions seek to obstruct and tarnish the democratic as well as independent management presiding and rulings of the Presiding Officer.”
Dr. Ali said since receiving the complaint on Monday, she undertook “significant research and analysis” on the matter, and made a ruling.
“In deciding whether a prima facie case of contempt has been made out, the Chair must carefully consider the facts alleged and all the information placed before her. I have done just that and find that a prima facie case of contempt has indeed been made out. I so rule and refer this matter to the Committee of Privileges for consideration and report.”