A MATTER surrounding The Speaker of the House of Assembly was referred to the Committee of Privileges by the Deputy Speaker this morning for determination after the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) raised concerns about how it would impact on the proceedings of the Chamber.
At the start of the first sitting for the year, Santia Bradshaw, the BLP Member of Parliament for St Michael South East and new Leader of Opposition Business in the House, rose to speak on the matter which she said caused some concern to the public.
But Speaker Michael Carrington told her that if she was going to address the matter in any way, “I am going to recuse myself and the Chair be taken by the Deputy Speaker”.
The chair was subsequently taken by MP for St John Mara Thompson.
In her statement Bradshaw said it was “a matter that relates to a judgment which was entered against the Speaker of this Chamber, and one which causes some concern in various circles as it relates to the honourable members and their ability to feel comfortable with the Speaker being able to preside over this particular Chamber.
“I do so, Madame Deputy Speaker, on the basis that I believe that the honourable Speaker should perhaps be given the opportunity to explain to the Chamber the circumstances surrounding this judgment or at the very least recuse himself of the position until such a matter has been determined by the Court.
“Madame Deputy Speaker, it is important that the public and the people in this Chamber have confidence in the Speaker and I believe that rather than the honourable Barbados Labour Party bringing a motion on this issue that it would do all concerned a justice to enable the Speaker to be able to address this Chamber on this particular matter and to be heard.
She continued: “This is the highest court of the land. All of us who are here hold the offices that we do, on the basis as the highest court in the land that those who look to us and expect a certain standard to be displayed by each and every one of us in this Chamber.
“I believe it would be in the best interest of preserving the integrity of this Chamber and the overall Government and the confidence of the people of this country, if indeed that opportunity was given to the Speaker of this Chamber to address honourable members before this sitting commences today.”
Carrington, an attorney at law, was ordered by the High Court to pay more than $200 000 to client John Griffiths within 28 days as well as interest and legal costs surrounding the case.
Carrington was Griffiths’ attorney in the sale of land at Dayrells Road, Christ Church, who alleged that he only received $44 194, with $208 900 still outstanding. (JS)