…says consequences can follow
…clashes with Harmon after accusing him, Duncan of being “backyard bullies”
By Lisa Hamilton
Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir has sternly cautioned Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), particularly Sherod Duncan, against criticising his decisions and accusing him of bias. Nadir said that such actions not only impinge on the Speaker’s integrity but can be seen as a punishable “breach of privilege”.
At Thursday’s Sitting of the National Assembly, Nadir said that recently it has been “open season” on the Standing Orders and the Speaker by several Opposition MPs.
The Speaker singled out Duncan as the leader of the many criticisms leveled at him and stated that he had warned against this since the second Sitting of the National Assembly.
However, Nadir stated that, at the last Sitting of the National Assembly, Duncan leveled words such as “biased” “partisan” and “non-partisan” at him.
He said that Duncan also posted on social media: “Mister Speaker started out nice like them new cook shop, and then the price raise and the standards fall. I thought after the second bout of COVID he’d stay closer to God, but the devils got him bias, partisan… you name it. Everybody showing deh self for 30 pieces of silver. Guess, after protesting Granger at Pegasus there no coming back, is just straight to hell.”
These are not all the cases of comments from Duncan that the Speaker readout.
“Honorable Members, the Honorable Duncan’s social media comments and lampoon is a direct charge of bias against the Speaker and it imputes on the Speaker’s character. It is also something which is not condoned in our Westminister of Parliamentary system. I urge the Honorable Member to desist,” Nadir stated.
Quoting from a document used by former Speaker of the House, Barton Scotland, Nadir reminded the Opposition MPs: “One of the best know rules of Parliamentary procedures, which should be familiar to all Parliamentarians worldwide, is that the conduct of the Speaker cannot be criticized except by way of a substantive motion.”
Reading from another document from the Canadian House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Nadir noted that remarks on the character or actions of the Speaker and allegations of bias could be taken by the House as “a breach of privilege and can be punished accordingly.”
The Speaker of the House also cautioned other Opposition MPs for criticisms leveled at him regarding the way he dealt with the Motions for the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Bill 2020 and the Henry boys.
Nadir said that both Duncan and Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon “went on an attack” of the Standing Orders and Practices as well as the Speaker while on an online programme recently.
He accused Duncan of spreading misinformation about the Speaker’s decisions and Harmon of being “vile” in his accusations that the Speaker is being used by Government MPs to block the motions of the Opposition.
“The Honorable Leader of the Opposition knows better. He’s a decorated soldier, he’s a lawyer, he’s intelligent, he’s experienced and he is a most important person in leading our country,” Manzoor chastised.
He later added: “I say, I am neither anyone’s little boy nor am I intimidated by front yard or backyard bullies. Any occurrences or reoccurrences of the breaches of the standing orders, I will have to ask a Minister to move a motion — and that is in Standing Order 473 – to refer the erred Member or Members to the Committee of Privileges.”
Following his remarks, Harmon requested permission to speak. The Speaker refused but subsequently permitted Harmon when Harmon conveyed that he merely wanted to express his gratitude.
Harmon then thanked the Speaker for his explanation on the matter of the Standing Orders and for recognizing that he [Harmon] comes from a disciplined background.
He continued by stating that the Opposition side of the House represents over 270,000 Guyanese but the Speaker then stopped him from continuing further.
“Honorable Member thank you, we shall proceed,” Nadir told Harmon, suggesting that he should sit while matters of the House continue and await the “appropriate time” to speak further.
However, Harmon continued: “Mr. Speaker, the reference to my behavior as ‘backyard’ I take strong offence to that. I am not from a backyard and did not have a backyard behavior.” He then took his seat, due to the Speaker’s resistance.
Members of the Opposition then beat their desks with their hands in support of Harmon. The Speaker called for order then urged the Clerk to continue with the business of the House.
