Firestorm in Gordon House over Petrojam questions

SPEAKER OF the House of Representatives, Pearnel Charles, yesterday stood repeatedly as he attempted to stamp his authority on a Parliament that had fallen into disarray after Manchester Central Member of Parliament Peter Bunting insisted that questions he had previously asked Energy Minister Andrew Wheatley on the beleaguered oil refinery Petrojam be answered.

Leader of Government Business Karl Samuda yesterday gave a commitment that the questions would be answered on July 3, but Bunting argued that the House would have to be satisfied with the reason that resulted in the delay as set out in the Standing Orders.

Charles had intimated that Bunting came to Parliament with a “plan”, an imputation that elicited a chorus of condemnation from opposition members who accused the Speaker of making unfair comments.

Lines were drawn as Speaker Charles stood and threatened to name members of the Opposition. However, all the members on

the Opposition side stood also in protest against the Speaker’s pronouncements.

“I am ashamed of you all,” said Charles. Things further spun out of control at which point Charles gave a directive to the Hansard writer to cease from carrying out their duties of recording the proceedings of Parliament. However, the Hansard writer seemingly ignored his comment, which was apparently outside of the Speaker’s parliamentary authority.

Charles chided Bunting for disobeying his instructions and called on Leader of the Opposition Dr Peter Phillips to rein in his member.

However, Phillips said that if the presiding officer of the Parliament sought the respect of members, then he should also show respect. “It would seem that the way in which the House is being presided over does offer that respect to the members of the Opposition.”

“Repeatedly today (Tuesday) you have made reference to some plan, imputing motives to the members of the House, which is specifically objected to in the Standing Orders.”

A peeved Charles retorted: “Mr Phillips, I have not invited you to assault the speaker in the House.”