BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Jan. 25.2018 – LEADER of the Opposition, Dr. Denzil Douglas has lashed out at the government for what he says is “an insanely relentless push” to have him disbarred from the National Assembly.
His contention comes as the Attorney General, Hon. Vincent Byron told Tuesday’s National Assembly that his Chambers, after consultation with legal counsel, moved to the court to determine the matter of Douglas’ potential disbarment.
“I’d like to report that having had advice from Senior Counsel on this matter, the Office of the Attorney General gave instructions to institute legal proceedings in this matter and so yesterday, January 22, a fixed date claim form was filed in the High Court Registry to initiate a matter to get the court to make certain declarations and findings.”
The fixed date claim form, which is numbered No. 8 of 2018, is a matter between Claimant, the Attorney General of St. Kitts and Nevis, and Dr. Denzil Douglas, Defendant. The application to seek relief from the High Court is pursuant to Section 36 of the Constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis and Section 12 of the National Assembly Elections Act Cap (2.01), an SKNIS statement indicated.
The claim is a result of the contention surrounding, Dr. Douglas’ eligibility to be in the National Assembly based on allegations that he is the holder of a Dominican Diplomatic passport.
AG Byron told the National Assembly on Tuesday, “On July 30, 2015, the defendant was issued a diplomatic passport No: DP 0000462 by the Commonwealth of Dominica, which recorded him as being a citizen of Dominica this is borne out by a certificate. This is borne out by a certificate of exhibits thus filed among the papers at the court,”
In his statement to the press, Dr. Douglas said: “It is apparent that despite knowing the facts indicate otherwise, he fully intends to forge ahead with a lie in hopes that my personal and professional reputation would suffer just as his has further suffered since 2015.”
Douglas’ remarks come on the heels of a five-day suspension from the National Assembly for misconduct. The Opposition Leader was suspended from the House after refusing multiple orders by the Speaker to sit and stop talking.
The Speaker cited Standing Order 49.2 which says “The Speaker or the Chairman shall order any member whose conduct is grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately from the National Assembly during the remainder of the day’s sitting and may direct such steps to be taken as are required to enforce this standing order.”
The former PM however alleges that the suspension was unjust.
“By the events permitted and propagated in the House today (Tuesday), we now know without a doubt that justice, fairness, and balance are no longer found in our Parliament”.
Adding, “We of the Parliamentary opposition again emphasize that we will not accept or tolerate our democratic traditions being forced into oblivion. This has to end!”
