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Speaker censures family-related heckle in Nat’l Assembly
Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman yesterday told the House that relatives of Members of Parliament should be left out of the business of the National Assembly.
His statements came after Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn was interrupted during his presentation by a heckler who said “like father like son.”
Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn
The Minister was making his contribution to a Motion brought before the House by the very Member who made the statement—A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Vanessa Kissoon.
Recently, the Minister’s son was charged for assault after he was accused of beating and raping his “ex” girlfriend.
When Kissoon made her statement, Benn ignored it, but government representative Bibi Shadick interjected asking “how did that come in?” and “how could you say that?”
Government’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, then stood on a point of order saying that the statement was totally inappropriate and asked that it be withdrawn.
However, the Speaker took it to another level when he asked that an apology be made. Trotman said that he asked before that “family be left out.” He added that “We all have children…things happened before and I daresay that things will happen again, allegations will be made, but I maintain that family should be left out.”
He then asked that the statement be withdrawn and an apology be made. But Minister Benn said that he was not surprised and would expect any statement at anytime from that “particular” member.
Even though Benn said he didn’t want an apology and requested that the statement be recorded, Trotman noted that “this is still an august house and it must be withdrawn.”
Kissoon then stood, apologized, and was then supported by her colleagues.
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