-PM describes MP’s move as unprecedented

TENSION ran high in the National Assembly on Friday evening after Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Nigel Dharamlall refused to comply with instructions handed down by the Speaker during a debate on the Commission of Inquiry into land rights.
While addressing the August body, Dharamlall, was cautioned by the Speaker for not staying relevant in his presentation as is stipulated by the Standing Orders. After several warnings which were rebutted with justifications from the Opposition MP, the Speaker asked him to take his seat.
Refusal by Dharamlall to comply with the instructions of the Speaker prompted loud heckling from both sides of the House. Within seconds, the heckling evolved into an outburst with both sides vying for vocal dominance. In support of their colleague, the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) stood in protest, demanding that Dharamlall be allowed to continue his speech.
A decision by the Speaker not to permit it, led to Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira furiously attacking his credibility accusing him of being biased. She referenced an episode on Thursday evening when Minister Raphael Trotman lashed out at Opposition Leader, reminding him of a number of failed projects during his presidency.
“When [Minister] Trotman attacked the Opposition Leader last evening (Thursday) you said nothing. You sat there and allowed it without saying a word. And tonight you are trying to silence our speaker who has done nothing?” she shouted passionately. After a failed attempt to restore order by aggressively pounding his gavel, the Speaker eventually left the noisy Chambers.
At this point, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who had been missing for most of the session, entered the Chambers and encouraged Dharamlall to continue his speech in the absence of the Speaker. Several other PPP MPs joined in and within a few seconds, Dharamlall was continuing his speech.
However, this was not well received by government MPs who immediately began pounding their desks and repeating chants in obvious disapproval of the decision by Dharamlall to continue speaking.
Throughout the remainder of his presentation, the opposition MP remained almost inaudible despite several attempts to raise his tone above that of his competitors. After Dharamlall had completed his presentation, the House remained without a Speaker for about 15 minutes. Subsequently, Speaker Dr Barton Scotland re-entered the room and continued the session as per normal.
Weighing in on the events which were unique in the history of Parliamentary affairs in Guyana, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said that it was “unprecedented”. “That is unprecedented; having him speak to an] [empty] chair” the PM said, adding that he believes it is one of the tactics of the Jagdeo-led opposition. “The intention is to create disruptions and to stir unrest in the country and to use all the forums, like street corners and line tops” he contended.
With the issue being new to the House, the Prime Minister said that he is not sure how it will be resolved, but that the Speaker is there as a symbol of the independence and integrity of the House.
“Parliament is like a court of law. You have to obey the Speaker or you can be cited for contempt. If you are cited for contempt, you can be asked to leave the assembly or your seat will be forfeited” PM Nagamootoo explained.
Asked about the PPP’s claims of the Speaker acting in a biased manner, the PM noted that he (the Speaker) is an impartial person who defends the integrity of the House. He offered that from time to time, allegations of biasness will surface.
However, he pointed out that when the claim is made, it has to be established and proven, as opposed to being a mere allegation. In obvious response to the opposition, he said that: “Bias could be, in the eyes of the opposition, their lack of freedom to do what they want to do in the House. They want to be able to speak longer than any other member. They want to beat around the bush and introduce irrelevant things and abuse the privileges of the House. I can’t think of anyone leveling bias against the Speaker if they themselves are violating the rules. They are trying to undermine the integrity of the House”