Clerk of the House Of Assembly, David Forbes spoke with reporters on Wednesday to provide clarity on the Speaker’s ruling regarding the conduct of six opposition Members of Parliament when the mace was thrown out on December 4th.  The Speaker named the six Members who were subsequently suspended for two House sittings.

Forbes said, “she actually referred it to the Powers and Privileges Committee because you have to remember that’s a sessional committee, that is appointed at the beginning of every session.  So she didn’t have to appoint the committee, she just basically referred the matter to them so they’ll investigate and see what other action, if necessary, will be taken.”

According to Forbes, the mace sustained no damage when it was thrown outside of the House by the Member of Parliament for St. Barnabas, the Hon. Shanendon Cartwright.  He also noted some differences between this incident and when the mace was thrown out of the House by the late Lynden Pindling in 1965.  “When Sir Lynden threw the mace out of the window it was not illegal to do so.  Shortly thereafter the Powers and Privileges Act was amended that first of all made it illegal to do so, not only the mace actually, many of the actions that were taken by the Opposition would have offended the Powers and Privileges Act.”

The suspended members are expected back in the House Of Assembly at the sitting after January 15th planned sitting.