BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 21ST 2009 (CUOPM) – The disrespect by the Political Leader of the opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM), Mr. Lindsay Grant during Tuesday’s sitting of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly has been condemned.
Callers to the talk shows on the local radio stations have expressed outrage with the behaviour of Mr. Grant, his party’s Chief Spokesman, Mr. Chesley Hamilton and party official, Mr. Slieh Boncamper.
One member of the St. Kitts-Nevis List is alleging that he was listening to the debate when he “heard the speaker, stop the debate when the PM was speaking this morning and was talking to speaking to someone in the balcony.”
“I didn't know it was Mr. Grant. If it was really him, I am very disappointed with his behaviour. Persons always talk about the behaviour of the House and point fingers at the members from the Government side. Imagine Mr. Grant is not a Parliamentarian as yet and exhibiting that behaviour. What will happen if or when he make it to Parliament, all hell will break loose,” said the list member, adding:
“I don't appreciate persons who disrespect the Court, Parliament or people in general. I hope respectful persons on the list will condemned this type of behaviour. I don't care who done it.”
On Tuesday the Speaker said Tuesday he will not allow the lawmaking body to be used as a political platform and chastised .Messrs. Grant, Hamilton and Boncamper, who were in the Visitor’s Gallery, disrespected the lawmaking body while Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas was making a statement.
The Speaker also cited the People’s Action Movement (PAM) Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher 5, the Hon. Shawn Richards for disrespectfully and unparliamentarily disrupting Prime Minister Douglas.
“I will not allow this Honourable House to be used as political place. If you are a visitor to this House - and I said at the start of my taking up this seat, that I will walk away with my integrity (and) I intend to keep the decorum of this House. If you are a visitor, please act as a visitor, full stop or I will ask you to leave,” said the Speaker.
Directing his attention to Mr. Richards, who disrupted Prime Minister Douglas while he was making the statement, the Speaker told the lone elected PAM Representative, there was no reason for that kind of unparliamentarily behaviour.
