The Senate has adopted a motion calling for Opposition Senator Janelle John-Bates to be removed from the Joint Select Committee on National Security.
Senator John-Bates was accused of assisting former Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh in editing a witness statement he intended to submit to the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee, while she was still a member of that committee. She was later removed from the PAAC, before issuing an unequivocal apology to the public and submitting her resignation to the Opposition Leader.
A Special Report from the Joint Select Committee on National Security was laid in Parliament on Tuesday, outlining concerns about her continued membership.
Moving the motion to adopt the JSC’s report, Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Darrell Allahar, said the incident had undermined the committee’s confidence in her ability to maintain the confidentiality of its discussions.
He added that this had proven a hindrance to the committee’s work.
“People are not moved just so from committees, or they don’t offer to resign by vaps. We on this side, Mr. President, feel strongly that Senator John-Bates must be removed from the Joint Select Committee on National Security forthwith. Her presence on that committee is keeping back the committee’s work.”
Senator Allahar said this was why Parliamentary intervention was necessary.
“The Leader of the Opposition is still considering whether she should accept her resignation as a Senator. But we in the Senate today must act decisively and must send a signal because, Mr. President, we have a duty to uphold principle and to protect the integrity of this committee and all JSCs.”
The motion was carried by 16 votes in favour, 13 against, with one abstention.
Senator David Nakhid criticised senators for failing to support the motion.
“We have a duty to be honest. First and foremost. Our duty is to be honest. Honesty is something that is measurable. It is something we can define, we can feel. It is tangible. It depends on how we act and the actions that we have seen from that side is reprehensible. It’s almost sad. It is the reason why a lot of people looking on at these proceedings tend to dislike politicians.”