The debate on former Prime Minister’s Hamilton Green’s Pension Bill was for a brief moment sidetracked yesterday when former Attorney General Anil Nandlall declared to the House that Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan was intoxicated and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo called for a breathalyzer test to be administered.
In the face of constant heckling from Ramjattan, Nandlall declared to the Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland “Mr. Ramjattan is drinking again sir”. This statement was ignored and the debate continued with the heckling becoming so loud that the Speaker was forced to call for quiet.
As Nandlall spoke to the House about the discriminatory nature of the bill, Jagdeo, began calling for a breathalyzer test.
This call was taken up by other members of the opposition side of the House and reached a crescendo two minutes later when Nandlall once again declared “Ramjattan is drunk sir.”
With opposition members of parliament providing a background chorus of “bring the breathalyzer”, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo sought to challenge Nandlall’s stance.
“The honourable member on his feet is uttering words that are not only disrespectful of a sitting member but are also defamatory. I could say things about the honourable member but it is beneath my character,” he told the Speaker.
Before he could be asked to do so Nandlall withdrew the statement.
The Speaker however still chose to deliver a “cautionary comment” about the outer limits of conduct allowed in the House.
At this point Nandlall sought protection from the Speaker against the hecklers.
“I crave your protection sir,” Nandlall said even as MP Irfaan Ali once again declared “breathalyzer Khemraj.”
