THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE was used by the National Council of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) for tonight’s disciplinary hearing on Dr Maria Agard.
Dr Agard had been summoned to a meeting to answer nine charges, but walked out two hours after it started.
The National Council then voted to expel the Member of Parliament for Christ Church West.
1. After the National Council is assembled and quorate, the Chair invites the MP and her attorney-at-law to join the meeting.
2. The Chair outlines the procedure as follows at (3) to (10) below.
3. Three charges will be taken together in a group.
4. The General Secretary will read the charges and particulars in the group and then present the evidence including any relevant documents in support of the charges.
5. When the General Secretary concludes his presentation on a group of charges, the MP shall be invited to reply to the charges in the group and provide her defence/explanations to the charges in the group.
6. When all the charges have been presented and responded to, the General Secretary will address the National Council for no more than 20 minutes and shall address the overall charges, including the form of discipline being requested.
7. The MP shall then be invited to respond by way of an address to the National Council for no more than 20 minutes.
8. On conclusion of the MP’s address, her attorney-at-law will be invited to address the National Council for a maximum of 30 minutes.
9. The General Secretary will have a right of reply on any mis-statement or inaccuracy for a maximum of 15 minutes.
10. Thereafter, the General Secretary, the MP and her attorney-at-law will withdraw from the meeting while the National Council deliberates.
11. When the National Council has reached a decision, the General Secretary, the MP and her attorney-at-law shall be invited to rejoin the meeting to hear the decision of the National Council. (BN)
