Speaker Raphael Trotman yesterday dismissed suggestions that recent sexual abuse allegations made against him will negatively impact his work in the National Assembly when it reconvenes later this month.
At the beginning of a press conference held at the Public Buildings, Trotman made it very clear that he would not be fielding any questions pertaining to Johnny Welshman, who recently made allegations against Trotman. The police are actively investigating the matter.
Asked whether in light of the recent controversy he foresaw any difficulties with the AFC-led no confidence motion that has been submitted to the House, Trotman responded, “it is a straightforward motion that doesn’t require a Raphael Trotman to preside over it one way or the other… It is a Motion like any other, it is for the mover of the Motion to indicate when he or she is ready or not… I can’t anticipate anything at this point in time.”
Told that there have been calls in sections of the media for him to step down or proceed on leave in light of the allegation, the Speaker told reporters, “I wouldn’t be commenting on anything pertaining to the allegation.”
Pressed on the confidence the House may or may not have in him in light of the allegations, he said that that is not an issue to him as he was elected on a vote.
“I was elected on a slim one seat vote. The government MPs already expressed no confidence in me when they voted against me when I was being elected… I don’t know that I have ever won their confidence…,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the issue of the no-confidence motion, Trotman said that based on extensive research and advice, he concluded that “the motion as unprecedented as it is does qualify for debate and it meets the internationally acceptable standard for a motion of this nature.”
Noting that the motion has created much local and international attention, he said that in conducting research he has made reference to the procedure that exists in other Caricom countries, including Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada along with other Commonwealth countries. He said all the research supports the opinion that the motion is in its proper form. He said procedurally the motion is no different to any other motion that was submitted, approved and debated in the National Assembly and the Clerk now has the responsibility to place the motion for debate on the Order Paper.
He noted that our nation is at an important crossroad and he expects that every MP would want to have a say when the Motion is debated. He compared what is likely to happen to a budget debate. “That is their constitutional right…,” he observed.
Trotman also stressed that Parliament Office is ready to resume and complete the business of the Assembly, which had a full agenda of critical issues. While noting that a number of Bills have been left hanging as a result of the recess, he said that they will be addressed on the resumption of the Assembly.
He also expected that new questions, motions and bills will be added to the Order Paper prior to the resumption.
