|
|
|
Speaker Martin says PAM leader and officials “behaved like children,”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Speaker of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly chastising Political Leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), Mr. Lindsay Grant and other party officials for their "childplike" behaviour in the lawmaking body on October 27th 2009 |
| By: Erasmus Williams, CUOPM |
|
|
|
|
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 27TH 2009 (CUOPM) – Speaker of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, the Hon. Curtis Martin is adamant that the Political Leader of the opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM), Mr. Lindsay Grant and two of his party officials “behaved like children” during the recent sitting of the lawmaking body.
Mr. Martin made the comment to SKNVIBES.com over the weekend after he publicly criticised Mr. Grant, his party’s national spokesman, Mr. Chesley Hamilton and Mr. Slieh Boncamper, for their unparliamentary behaviour and disrespect from the visitors’ gallery during the sitting last Tuesday 27th October.
“Their behaviour was not in keeping with the decorum of the House. They were giggling and talking and Mr. Hamilton waved the handkerchief at least four times or five times,” Mr. Martin told SKNVIBES.
Giving a reason for his behaviour in the National Assembly, Mr. Hamilton, a practicing lawyer told Sugar City Rock and SKNVIBES that he was offering the handkerchief to the Hon. Shawn Richards, the party’s lone parliamentarian in the 15-member lawmaking body.
The disrespect by the PAM leadership in the National Assembly has been condemned by hundreds of nationals.
“Mr. Grant what example are you setting to show the young people who are watching. Shame on you Mr. Grant,” wrote a concerned young person in a comment on SKNVIBES.com.
“This is the most incredulous fabrication of a lie I have ever heard. Mr. Shawn Richards did not ask for a handkerchief. You are a bit late. Where were you when Shawn needed it when he made reference to surrendering his United States citizenship? The country was not amused by your antics and childish behaviour,” wrote Right is Right.
“From the body language and facial expression one can tell they were up to no good. Look how Grant leaning over and Hamilton arms fold that is just showing they are not just sitting and listening to what is happening. This was just disrespectful. Why would he want to offer Shawn a kerchief and why would they be talking to Shawn while parliament is in session,” commented Fed Up.
Callers to the talk shows on the local radio stations have expressed outrage with the behaviour of Mr. Grant and his party officials.
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:
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
