The opposition APNU+AFC has submitted a motion to the Clerk of the National Assembly calling for Minister of Public Affairs Kwame McCoy to be suspended from the Assembly for six months over the recent allegations that he physically assaulted opposition parliamentarian Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and his conduct towards other opposition members.
The motion was submitted after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advised the police that Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir should use the Standing Orders of Parliament to address the assault complaint against McCoy.
Nadir told Stabroek News last evening that he is still unaware of this development as no official information on such advice has reached his office.
It remains unclear how Nadir is expected to address a criminal complaint using Standing Orders which only reference “disorderly conduct” as an offence.
The motion submitted under the name of APNU+AFC Chief Whip Christopher Jones and seconded by Amanza Walton-Desir contends that the Standing Orders of the National Assembly seek to regulate the conduct and behaviour of Members, both during and outside of sittings of the National Assembly.
It claims McCoy has violated established customs, conventions, practices and norms for members of Assemblies of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association through less than honourable conduct in the House.
Specifically, the Minister is accused of having “hurled mean, nasty, demeaning, disrespectful and abusive invectives and insults at members…especially female members”.
His conduct, according to the motion, has been relentless and unabated, despite pleas by Members to him, and to the Speaker, for him to cease and desist.
Specific mention is made of the allegation that on March 3rd whilst outside of the Chamber McCoy physically abused Sarabo-Halley by striking her in the face with his mobile phone in hand. That allegation was later referred to the police for investigation.
Also referenced is an attempt by the APNU+AFC to compel Nadir to remove McCoy from the Chamber during the consideration of the budget estimates last week.
As a result, the APNU+AFC motion is calling on the Assembly to condemn the attitude, conduct and behaviour of McCoy towards Members of the National Assembly and to call on him to issue an apology to the Assembly and Sarabo-Halley specifically.
It also calls for McCoy to be prohibited from attending any sittings of the National Assembly, including meetings of Committees, for a period of six months and for McCoy to be taken before the Committee of Privileges to be sanctioned.