By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE Official Opposition has been suspended from Parliament for two House sessions.
This includes Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP Philip “Brave” Davis, Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper and South Andros and Mangrove Cay MP Picewell Forbes.
They join Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin who was initially suspended from the House last week.
The incident involving Mrs Hanna Martin drew criticism from many members of Parliament among them Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.
He said a degree of respect for the House and the Speaker should always be maintained. Dr Minnis said as the proceedings are aired on radio and broadcast to thousands everyday on television, the actions could send the wrong message and set a bad example for young impressionable minds.
Speaking specifically about Mrs Hanna Martin, Dr Minnis said her behaviour would not have been allowed in court, where she spends most of her time as an attorney.
The three male MPs were suspended after leaving the lower chamber as the Speaker was making a presentation explaining the disciplinary action he took against Mrs Hanna Martin last week. At the time, the Speaker said a motion would be moved on the next sitting on the duration of her suspension.
When the House began yesterday, Speaker Moultrie explained that Mrs Hanna Martin had breached rules which outlines possible conduct breaches by members.
Simultaneously, Mr Davis stood waiting to be acknowledged by the Speaker, but he was not.
Speaker Moultrie said: “It is the view of the chair that the member for Englerston acted in a grossly disorderly and disrespectful manner and was in breach of all five subsections of rule 88(4) which states if a member has persistently and wilfully obstructed the business of the House, misconducted herself in a grossly disorderly manner, used objectionable words, which she has refused to withdraw, persistently and wilfully refused to conform with the rules or persistently and wilfully disregarded the authority of the chair, she may be named and suspended by the Speaker if any of the above offences have been committed.”
He continued: “If the offence has been committed by a member in the House the Speaker should forthwith put the question on a motion being made no amendment adjournment or debate being allowed that the member be suspended from the service of the House.
“The chair recommends that the member for Englerston be suspended for two consecutive sittings of the House in accordance with the provision of rule 88. The question is now put to this Honourable House to determine the duration of that period,” he also said.
Mr Davis stood twice more waiting to be recognised. Instead Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells, who is also leader of government business in the House, was acknowledged.
It was Mr Wells who moved the motion for her suspension and it was seconded by Southern Shores MP Frankie Campbell.
The Speaker then asked the question, saying those who were opposed to the move should stand. All opposition MPs stood.
Speaker Moultrie continued with his intervention and went on to refer to scriptures also hitting out at retired former chief clerk in Parliament Maurice Tynes who this week criticised the Speaker in a letter to the editor.
However, before he could finish, Mr Davis, Mr Cooper and Mr Forbes gathered their belongings.
“We are withdrawing, sir,” Mr Davis replied as seated MPs heckled them; some could be heard saying “bye, bye.”
“Honourable members, the leader of the opposition the member for Rum Cay, Cat Island and San Salvador, the member for South and Central Andros, the member for Exuma and Ragged Island have your seat,” he said as the three began to leave the chamber.
“Pursuant to rule 88 (3), the Speaker now orders that the three members withdraw from this Parliament and are not eligible to enter this parliament again for the next two sittings,” Mr Moultrie said.
Ahead of this contentious scene, Mrs Hanna Martin attempted to enter the House, but was barred from doing so.
In greeting scores of supporters who gathered in Rawson Square, Mrs Hanna Martin maintained the Speaker’s initial decision to suspend and name her was not in accordance with the House rules.
The MP suggested she should not have been treated in this manner having been in the House for 16 years when compared to the Speaker’s tenure of eight months.
She said she has no regrets about walking out of the House, adding that authority is not absolute, but is circumscribed by rules and the law.
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