The business of the National Assembly was at a standstill for 15 minutes last evening when Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland, walked out of the chambers in the face of a refusal by the opposition side of the house to follow his directives.
In the face of what leader of the House, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo deemed an “unprecedented” display of “disrespectful”, “disorderly” and “un-parliamentary” behaviour Speaker Scotland chose to end a confrontation with the opposition by vacating the chamber.
This latest confrontation between Scotland and the Opposition Members of Parliament started when opposition backbencher Nigel Dharamlall refused to withdraw his statement that the Government of Guyana was “decimating” the Indigenous People. Dharamlall had made the statement during his presentation on a motion brought by his colleague Pauline Sukhai to withdraw the Commission of Inquiry into Land Rights.
Dharamlall was repeatedly cautioned to withdraw his statement by the Speaker and when he continuously refused he was asked to take his seat so that the next speaker, Minister of Social Cohesion George Norton could make his presentation.
This directive did not find favour with the opposition MPs who stood en masse in the Chamber to protest the action.
Chief Whip Gail Teixeira speaking on behalf of her side of the house, told the Speaker that on Thursday night the PPP/C MPs were “abused by Minister [of Natural Resources Raphael] Trotman.”
“You allowed it go on…” she told Scotland while declaring that Dharamlall’s statement was not out of order.
Scotland did not address any part of Teixeira’s statement, instead directing the Opposition Members to either take their seat or continue standing without disturbing the work of the assembly.
It was at this point that Opposition leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, who had been absent from the Chamber said “You are being partisanid.
Speaker Scotland then directed his attention to Jagdeo and questioned whether the member had been directing the statement to him.
His enquiry was met with silence which Scotland answered by vacating his chair and proceeding to his chambers.
In his absence Dharamlall continued his presentation off mic, to a soundtrack of heckles from the government benches.
It was not long before the Government side of the house raised a pounding chant of “disrespect.”
Speaking to the media, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo dubbed the situation as “unprecedented.”
Dharamlall’s claim, he said was “a very serious charge” that was “not consistent with the motion.”
Equating the Speakers function with that of a Judge in a courtroom, Nagamootoo referred to the opposition’s actions as “unparliamentarily and uncalled for.”
“Very disrespectful and disorderly behaviour,” he stressed adding that this is one of the tactics by the Jagdeo Opposition, to create disruptions and to start unrest in the country.”
Asked if he believed the speaker was being biased, Nagamootoo said, “The speaker of the house is an impartial person there to preside over proceedings and he defends the integrity of the house.”
He also said that the Opposition perceived the Speaker’s actions as biased because they are not allowed to do as they please in the house.
A little over 15 minutes later, the speaker returned to his chair and the debates continued unhindered.