Browne says gov't shut him up because it is afraid of criticism

Amery Browne says the Government is abusing the Opposition because it is afraid of facing scrutiny.

The Diego Martin Central MP was silenced in Parliament last Friday after ignoring repeated warnings from the Speaker that he was speaking about irrelevant issues during the debate on the Anti-Gang legislation. He led a walkout from the House and is facing censure from his own party for his action.

So far the party has failed to endorse his criticism of the Speaker.

Brown told the Guardian newspaper it is impossible for the Government not to expect members of the Opposition to challenge them. He said he was silenced when he asked for an audit into Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.

Browne said instead of dealing with the issue, he was accused of being irrelevant. The matter before the House - the anti gang bill - had nothing to do with that ministry. Still Browne is insisting that the question was relevant.

He suggested that the government is making it a habit of silencing anyone whose views are unwelcome. He said it is "incomprehensible" that the Government worked to silence those who criticised them, but was “comfortable with boorish and crude behaviour” of their own members in Parliament.