Showdowm looming in TT Parliament

A showdown is looming in the House of Representatives that could lead to the suspension of three more opposition members - Chief Whip Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal and Princes Town South MP Subhas Panday.

Deputy Speaker Pennelope Beckles ruled Friday that the MPs would have to appear before the Privileges Committee to answer charges of contempt of the House.

Beckles said a prima facie case of contempt has been made, relating to statements made by the Opposition members against House Speaker Barendra Sinanan, during the sitting of Friday April 11.

Government House leader Colm Imbert inititated the proceedings following the suspension of Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday. Beckles was given the responsibility of making a decision on the matter after Speaker Barendra Sinanan excused himself since the issue related to the right of the opposition members to make critical comments about him.

Beckles told the House she wanted to make it "abundantly clear that it is not my task to inquire into the validity of evidence or to hold an inquiry into the matter." She said she was required to consider whether the alleged statements by the MPs were enough to conclude that "a reasonable possibility" of contempt had occurred.

In her statement, she was careful to note that the conduct of the Speaker is not immune from criticism and comment, but explained that it can only be done "by a substantive motion moved for that purpose, under Standing Order 36(10)."

She said members cannot incidentally criticize the Speaker in a debate. She said the language contained in the statements allegedly made by the three opposition MPs "would not be permitted in a debate or speech on a substantive motion under Standing Order 36(10)."

Beckles said that in considering the matter, she looked at the practice in the UK House of Commons, as well as the practice in other Commonwealth jurisdictions, including Canada, Australia, India and New Zealand.

Beckles will chair the Privileges Committee that will consider the fate of the members, but it is not clear if any of them would appear before her.

Each has said he has the right of freedom of speech under the constitution and they are standing by the comments pertaining to bias by Speaker Barendra Sinanan. They said what is happening is that the Speaker is in collusion with the governing party to undermine democracy and individual rights.

Maharaj has already stated publicly that he considers the committee a "kangaroo court", adding that he would not dignify it by appearing at a hearing. He said if he is hauled before the committee he would resign his Tabaquite seat.

Moonilal and Panday might do the same, although neither of them has made any commitment on the matter.

And one other MP, Jack Warner, said this week that he would fully support Maharaj. "If Ramesh resign in the morning, I'll resign in the afternoon," he said.

The United National Congress Alliance (UNC-A) has also been considering the resignation of all its members from the House and demanding fresh elections, which it says would be a referendum on Manning's performance.

Such action would only necessitate 16 by-elections, since the quorum of the House of Representatives is 14 and the People's National Movement (PNM) has a comfortable majority.

However, whenever there is a vacancy within the first four years of the Parliament, a by-election must be held within 90 days of the seat becoming vacant. Manning would be forced to call 16 by-elections.

The opposition hopes that would create an opportunity for a prolonged national debate on critical issues such as crime and rising food prices during an election campaign.

But it is also a gamble because there is always the possibility that it could lose one of more of the seats it now has and bring the PNM closer to a constitutional majority.