The Parliamentary Committee of Privileges on Wednesday told PNCR-1G MP Deborah Backer, who the government wants to be held in contempt over statements she made about ranks of the joint services during a debate, informed that it would contact her following a statement to the committee by her attorney.
Backer told Stabroek News yesterday that the committee met on Wednesday and she appeared along with her attorney, Basil Williams who made a statement. “Members of the committee indicated that I would hear from them,” she said.
On October 22 last year, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh moved a motion during the sitting of the National Assembly to have Backer appear before the Committee of Privileges in keeping with Standing Order No.32.
After the motion was moved, the Speaker ruled that a prima facie case had been made out against Backer and referred the matter to the Committee of Privileges, which addresses disciplinary action against members of the House.
Singh had objected to statements made by Backer during a previous sitting when she was speaking about the joint services ranks who were travelling to the neighbouring country to boost security operations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference.
Early last month Backer had attempted to have Singh questioned by her or her attorney before the committee but that government used its majority to block the motion.
The purpose of Backer’s motion was to have Dr Singh questioned through counsel or directly on the issue before the Privileges Committee, since it was the finance minister who had moved the motion against her.
After an intense debate on the matter during the March 12th sitting, a division of the House was called. When the motion was put to vote 30 government members vetoed the motion, while 26 members from the opposition benches supported it.