Speaker blocks Opposition Chief Whip from highlighting allegations of corruption by VP Jagdeo, Ministers, Police Force

Jan 25, 2025 News

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…cites Standing Orders preventing repetition

By Davina Bagot

Kaieteur News- A 20-minute presentation by Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, faced frequent interruptions by Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, who interjected to inform the Member of Parliament (MP) that he could not use words such as “loot, dealings and corruption” in the House.

Jones was at the time making his contribution on Day One of this year’s Budget Debate when he ventured to highlight acts of corruption by public officers.

He said, “Today there are allegations, and I cannot use the word corruption, so I will replace it with ‘dishonest dealings.’” To this end, he was interrupted by the Speaker who informed him that he was forbidden from using those words as well.

Instead, Jones said, “Today comrade Speaker, there are allegations of ‘loot’ in almost every government ministry and agency. What is worse comrade Speaker, these allegations of loot have been levelled against…”

Before the Opposition Chief Whip could finish his statement, he was again intercepted by Nadir who told him that ‘loot’ was not allowed in the House.

Another Opposition Parliamentarian could be heard shouting the word “runnings,” as such Jones continued, “What is worse comrade Speaker, the allegations of ‘runnings’ have been levelled at Ministers of the government. Allegations of their spouses, children and family members fronting shell companies that are awarded contracts.”

Still not pleased with the line of commentary from the Opposition Chief Whip, the Speaker said, “You are now imputing on honourable members.”

Jones, however, continued that there are allegations of ‘runnings’ in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) at the most senior level, which is affecting the morale of the entire force.

He went on to point out that in 2021, Vice News released a documentary with allegations of ‘runnings’ (corruption) involving Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Nadir quickly muted Jones to inform him of yet another infraction. This time, the Speaker said, “There are Standing Orders with respect to imputing and also referencing, and I would not allow it…. There is also a Standing Order with respect to repetition and we have heard that over and over again.”

Seemingly determined to make his point, the Opposition MP told the National Assembly that during Guyana’s appearance before the United Nations Human Rights Commission, UN Human Rights Committee Member, Laurence Helfer, pointed to the allegations of corruption by the VP.

Helfer said, “The Committee is aware of public frustration, for example, the failure to investigate reports of corruption by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. The Committee also notes allegations of corruption in the Guyana Police Force and the Judiciary”.

Jones pointed out that in her response, Minister of Governance, Gail Teixeira, stated that “Allegations against the Vice President were never investigated because no police report was ever filed against him in the matter by anyone.”

To this end, Jones argued that Guyanese citizens are expected to report allegations of corruption involving ministers and senior government officials to the same Guyana Police Force that itself faces allegations of corruption at the highest levels.

Undemocratic Parliament

In an invited comment, the Opposition Chief Whip told Kaieteur News that what is happening in Guyana’s Parliament flies in the face of Parliamentary democracy. He explained, “When you speak with other jurisdictions and ask them, we can’t find another jurisdiction that restricts you from using the word ‘corruption’.

He explained that the words and phrases restricted are prohibited from being used on another MP. For instance, he said, “I can’t say that Minister X, or Minister Y is corrupt because that is referring to an individual…but when you are referring to corruption, you are talking about corruption in public office.”

Jones pointed out that he is not allowed to reference an anti-corruption forum hosted by government last year nor can MPs quote or read an article that contains the word ‘corruption’.

Additionally, the Chief Whip flagged that he was prevented from using words in the House which are not listed as ‘Unparliamentary’. To this end, he concluded, “so it literally is on the spur, depending on what mind the Speaker is in, he determines after consulting with himself that this word or that word is ‘unparliamentary’ or wouldn’t be allowed.” (See below for terms considered unparliamentary.)

Moreover, he noted that this act mostly affects members of the Opposition.

Dead committees

Meanwhile, the Opposition Chief Whip utilized the last five minutes of his time highlighting the crucial role of Parliamentary committees in a functioning democratic system.

He explained, “They enhance efficiency, accountability, and transparency by facilitating in-depth investigation of issues, policies, and legislation—tasks that cannot be thoroughly addressed during regular parliamentary sessions due to time constraints.”

To this end, he flagged the dwindling meetings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) under this administration. Jones pointed out that in 2021, the PAC met 25 times; in 2022, it met 21 times; in 2023, only 11 times; and by 2024, only nine meetings were held.

He was keen to note that this was a result of a resolution piloted by Minister Teixeira, and passed by a one seat majority.

Similarly, Jones contended, “Nothing better can be said of the other committees of the Parliament.”

According to him, the Constitutional Reform Committee chaired by the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall S.C., never held a single meeting in 2023 and met once in 2024.

On the other hand, the Opposition MP highlighted that the Foreign Relations Committee for year 2024 held only one meeting, amidst the present danger to the country’s sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the parliamentary oversight committee on the security sector chaired by Prime Minister Mark Phillips has not held a single meeting since 2021.

(Speaker blocks Opposition Chief Whip from highlighting allegations of corruption by VP Jagdeo, Ministers, Police Force)

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• budget, corruption, debates, interrupts, Jagdeo, Jones, Speaker

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