Govt’s motion fails ten-nine

Government yesterday lost by ten votes to nine a motion to take two senior parliamentarians before Parliament’s Committee of Privileges over statements published after the Opposition’s walkout last week.
The motion was triggered by concerns about an article appearing in the MIDWEEK NATION of July 17 in which Leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley and MP for St James East Central Kerrie Simmonds questioned a ruling made by Speaker Michael Carrington.
Members of Parliament for Christ Church East Central and Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, raised the subject on a “Point of Privilege” and said he believed the matter should be referred to the Committee of Privileges for its consideration.
In response, Speaker Carrington said the matter had been brought to his attention and he was “surprised” when he read the story.
“When things like these happen, they cause you to stand up and take note” Carrington said.
He added: “A cursory glance at the article, for instance, would suggest that I, as Speaker, was engaged in some plot to conspire with the Government to create a circus of distraction from the people’s real problems in this country.” (GC/DP)