APNU+AFC Parliamentarians Christopher Jones, Ganesh Mahipaul, Sherod Duncan, Natasha Singh-Lewis, Annette Ferguson, Vinceroy Jordan, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and Maureen Philadelphia have received their letters of suspension from the National Assembly informing them that they would not be receiving their salaries and other benefits during that period.
On Thursday last, the House voted to suspend Jones, Mahipaul, Duncan and Singh-Lewis for four consecutive sittings while Ferguson, Jordan, Sarabo-Halley and Philadelphia were suspended for six consecutive sittings. Their suspension came as a result of the failed bid on December 29, 2021, to obstruct the passage of the Natural Resource Fund bill.
On the chaotic night of December 29, APNU+AFC parliamentarians were scattered throughout the parliamentary chamber chanting “no thieving bill must pass,” while blowing whistles and banging on the tables.
The Speaker tried, unsuccessfully, to restore order to the House.
In the end, MP Ferguson grabbed the ceremonial mace and made a dash for the door but was tackled by the Sergeant-at-Arms and another parliamentary security officer. At this time other Opposition MPs rushed to her aid even as Singh was still on the floor making his presentation.
Later, a video surfaced of APNU+AFC MP Philadelphia hurling slurs at Parliamentary staffer Ean Mc Pherson.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira later moved a motion to refer the eight MPs to the Committee of Privileges. The Committee’s report, which recommended the suspension, was tabled in Parliament on July 21 and adopted around 1:30 am on July 22 after the APNU+AFC MPs left the chambers.
Yesterday, the Clerk of the National Assembly wrote to the MPs informing them of their suspension.
The letter said “As a result of your suspension, you are not entitled to attend sittings of the National Assembly or meetings of Parliamentary Committees or enter the precincts of the National Assembly or attend any other activity on behalf of the National Assembly, until the termination of your suspension.
“Also, during the period of your suspension, you will not be paid salary and allowances and not be entitled to some of the other benefits of a Member of the National Assembly. Further, you are not entitled to lodge questions or submit notices of motions during your suspension from the service of the National Assembly.”
The letters were copied to Speaker Manzoor Nadir, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Minister Teixeira, Minister of Finance Ashni Singh and Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton.
The withholding of salaries from the suspended MPs can last months since the National Assembly meets quite infrequently. Additionally, the National Assembly is expected to go into recess for two months following the August 8, 2022 sitting.
On Wednesday last, in what seemed like a last-minute attempt to stop the National Assembly from debating and adopting the Committee of Privileges report, the eight suspended MPs filed a fixed date application with urgent notice in the High Court. The case is slated to come up before Justice Damone Younge on August 4.
The MPs are asking the court to declare that the report of the Committee of Privileges on the Privilege Motion dated January 24, 2022, is unconstitutional, null, void and of no legal effect. They are also asking the court to determine that the report breached the principles of natural justice since they were not guaranteed their rights prescribed under Article 144 (8) of the Constitution.
Through their attorneys, the MPs are asking the court to issue an order allowing them to be reinstated in the National Assembly until they have been afforded the right to be heard before the Parliamentary Sessional Select Committee of Privileges on the motion; an order quashing the report laid in the House; a conservatory order or injunction suspending the effect, operation and or validity of the report pending the determination of the fixed date application.
