(Trinidad Express) Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal has been muzzled.
Until he apologises to the Parliament.
The House of Representatives yesterday approved a motion from Government leader Camille Robinson-Regis that the member be not heard until he apologises, in accordance with the decision of the House last Wednesday to adopt the Privileges Committee Report which recommended that he apologise for his statements made to Government MP Fitzgerald Hinds, “Da is why Snake have lead for you”.
Immediately after the Speaker announced that the motion (not to recognise him until he apologises) was carried by a vote of 18 for, 11 against, Moonilal defiantly placed a strip of tape over his mouth.
Both Government MPs and the Speaker paid no attention to him.
Shortly thereafter, he left the chamber accompanied by some of his constituents who had been seated in the public gallery.
The action of the House means that Moonilal is virtually invisible in the Parliament.
He cannot speak, he cannot vote, he cannot ask questions.
He can do nothing for which the Speaker has to recognise him.