I find it impossible to comprehend that the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Freundel Stuart, could see nothing wrong with the Honourable Speaker of the House of Assembly of Barbados, the Honourable Mr Michael Carrington continuing to occupy the Honourable Chair as the Honourable Speaker.
I remember quite distinctly in a past debate that took place in the Honourable House of Assembly, the Speaker, whom I have always assumed to be an honourable, decent, and moral person, chastising the Honourable Mr Ronald Toppin for some comment he had made against the Honourable Minister of Finance Mr Chris Sinckler.
The Honourable Mr Toppin had said that the Honourable Minister of Finance’s morning words and evening words did not match up. The Honourable Speaker told the Honourable Mr Toppin that in Bajan parlance “morning words not matching up with evening words” was the same as calling a person a liar.
He went on to ask the Honourable Mr Toppin to withdraw his remarks and indicated to him that they would be struck from the records, the premise being that the Honourable Chamber is occupied by all Honourable members. One Honourable member cannot call another Honourable member a liar.
This incident demonstrates the very high standards demanded by the Honourable Speaker Mr Michael Carrington. It reflects also his position as one who consistently seeks to uphold and maintain the highest standard of morality and integrity within the most revered House of Assembly.
Indeed, I have always assumed that all members of the House of Assembly are honourable, decent, honest, respectable and law-abiding people.
The Honourable Mr Toppin’s incident seems far less offensive, and pales in significance when compared with what Barbadians of every walk of life consider to be the deplorable and dishonorable episode exposed by virtue of a High Court ruling, as recently reported in the Press, regarding failure of fiduciary responsibility to a “challenged” client by His Honour the Speaker, albeit while executing his professional duties in a private capacity.
So what message is the Honourable Prime Minister supporting and sending to everyone in Barbados?
The Honourable Speaker, Mr Michael Carrington, should vacate the Honourable Chair in the Honourable House of Assembly which is occupied by Honourable men and women.
– DR DAN C. CARTER
