Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir was forced to suspend indefinitely today’s sitting after members of the opposition protested the presence of Minister Kwame McCoy in the Chamber.
As the Assembly prepared to consider the Estimates the Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones rose to request that McCoy be asked to leave the Chamber since the female members of the Opposition feel unsafe in his presence.
McCoy has been accused of assaulting Opposition member Tabitha Sarabo-Halley. He has denied the accusation.
Government Chief Whip Gail Teixeira objected to the request noting that the standing orders prescribe that such a request should be submitted via a motion.
The speaker in turn ruled that an opposition motion could be submitted on the matter and committed to setting aside time during today’s sitting for it to be heard.
The opposition however refused to accept this compromise and stood to loudly protest.
“Kwame must go” they declared.
