PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday spoke out on APNU/AFC’s actions in the Parliament, using their one-seat majority.
He assured that, in the coming days, his

government will be taking the necessary steps in defence of Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, who has been at the receiving end of the joint Opposition’s vendetta against the Administration.
The Head of State noted that what played out at Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly was merely a continuation of what started with the advent of the so-called new dispensation, stating that the Opposition has clearly shown their undemocratic nature by dint of their actions in the House.
He explained that in the first instance, an allegation was made against Minister Rohee which subsequently saw an agreement to set up a Commission of Inquiry (COI); however, before the commission completed its work and tendered its report, the unprincipled Opposition took to the National Assembly with a no-confidence motion, thereby showing their utter disregard for due process.
Secondly, he explained that the Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman, was advised by his own, independent legal advisor that the Parliament cannot prohibit the minister from speaking or participating in parliamentary affairs.
The President continued that the Speaker’s ruling to refer the matter to the Privileges Committee is not only a violation of parliamentary norms and Standing Orders, but is total disregard of the legal advice that was given to him, since the ruling has, in effect, gagged Minister Rohee.
“To take Minister Rohee before the Privileges Committee is totally wrong; to be taken before that Committee you first have to commit an offence, and Minister Rohee has committed no offence to be taken before that Committee,” President Ramotar stressed.
He lamented that all established principles continue to be trampled upon in the Parliament, emphasising that the Constitution is the instrument that has established the Parliament, and should therefore be regarded as supreme; but the Opposition continue to disregard it, and in the process, they are demonstrating their callousness and disrespect for the rule of law and procedures.
“I am very surprised at the ruling of the Speaker, because he, despite his political affiliations, should be guided by the Constitution and the Standing Orders, and he has disregarded both of these important principles. He made a political ruling and had clearly sided with the Opposition.”
He added, too, that a person is assumed innocent until proven guilty; and thus far, Minister Rohee has done nothing wrong; yet the Speaker proceeded to gag him, denying him a chance to defend himself, and in so doing, presumed guilt on the minister.