In the National Assembly
Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan was yesterday forced to apologise several times to the National Assembly after he was proven incorrect regarding claims that the Hansard was tampered with.
Ramjattan apologised to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, the Clerks and other Parliament staff, and then went on to apologise to the National Assembly as a whole.
“The premature carrying forth to the press before the investigation was complete was in error, I humbly apologise,” Ramjattan said.
He added that he has listened to the audio recording provided to him by the Clerk of the National Assembly, and after comparing it to the Hansard, he found that they correspond. He reiterated that the Hansard was not tampered with.
“I always had tremendous respect for the integrity of your staff and so will it be in future. As a matter of fact, this incident has heightened my respect for them. My charge was indeed serious and has not been proven. I apologise for that because indeed, more than what was said by me, the integrity of the Parliament’s record keeping was under attack. I take blame for that and will shoulder same henceforth,” Ramjattan said.
However, despite repeated apologies, Ramjattan made yet another blunder when he stated that the Minister of Housing and Water was untruthful.
People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP), Gail Teixeira objected to this allegation against the Minister. As a result, the Speaker admonished Ramjattan and pointed out that his allegation was serious and after being urged by PPP member Moses Nagamootoo, Ramjattan then withdrew his statement against the Minister.
On February 22, Ramjattan reported his suspicion to the Speaker who ordered an investigation. However, instead of waiting for the findings, Ramjattan went ahead to relay the allegations to a reporter from the Kaieteur News which became a headliner.
A copy of the written transcript of the Hansard as well as a copy of the Speaker’s announcement and the recording was forwarded to the editor of the Kaieteur News, who has since conveyed his regrets to the Parliament Office.