Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones and Leader of the Alliance for Change, Khemraj Ramjattan have sounded the call for government Member of Parliament Nigel Dharamlall to resign from Parliament.
Their call comes in the wake of an allegation that he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl. Dharamlall has since been arrested and questioned by the police on the allegations.
“He should do the honourable thing and resign. We will amplify this call because he has insulted even female Members of Parliament… he should resign,” Jones yesterday told Stabroek News in a comment.
According to him, the behaviour of the member is unbecoming and unprofessional.
“I expected a resignation from him over the weekend but that did not happen. I don’t know if he was not advised properly by his colleagues, some of whom have been sitting long in parliament,” Jones yesterday added.
Meanwhile, Ramjattan while on the protest line said that Dharamlall should be immediately dismissed from his post.
“It is not that we are saying that he got a presumption of innocence that is for his criminal trial. At this stage at the political level such a fellah with these serious allegations and all the attempts he made, he should ensure he step out of cabinet and parliament,” Ramjattan said.
Other members have also called for his resignation from the National Assembly.
Jones last night said his side of the House will amplify all calls for him to be removed from parliament.
Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs yesterday told Stabroek News that a member, according to the constitution, can only be removed if found guilty or convicted by a court of law. Section 512 of the constitution also lists several other methods in which a parliamentarian can cease being a member but none speaks to allegations.
He explained further that even as Dharamlall is on administrative leave that does not prevent him from attending a sitting.
Stabroek News was nonetheless told that the Minister can also be removed from parliament by way of a successful motion brought against him.
A police investigation has since been launched into the allegations leveled against him. Through his attorney Nigel Hughes, he has denied the allegations.
Dharamlall yesterday proceeded on administrative leave from his post as Minister of Local Government after his request was granted by President Irfaan Ali.
