Trinidad Opposition threatens lawsuit and no confidence vote in Speaker

Trinidad Opposition threatens lawsuit and no confidence vote in Speaker

April 1, 2008
Caribbean Net News

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago's Opposition United National Congress-Alliance says it is considering filing a lawsuit against House Speaker Barry Sinanan. The announcement was made on Friday following a verbal uproar in Parliament.

The drama developed as Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday was ordered to leave Parliament for what was considered the "unauthorised use" of a laptop computer and defying the Speaker's orders during the sitting of the Lower House.

Basdeo Panday

Panday was asked whether he was going to speak during a debate as he was seen using his laptop. However, his response sparked some reaction from the Speaker after he said he was not sure.

Panday, who has had numerous verbal clashes with the Speaker, promised he would no longer speak in Parliament during any sitting, accusing the Speaker of being biased against the opposition. The Opposition has continuously labeled the Speaker as being in collusion with the government.

Speaking with journalists, Panday said he was being victimised unnecessarily.

The Opposition UNC-Alliance is now planning to take the Speaker to court over his ruling on Friday, which ordered the suspension of the Opposition Leader for use of a laptop computer.

Speaking with Caribbean Net News, Opposition UNC- A Senator Wade Mark said the Opposition could not understand the reasoning behind the Speaker's decision to suspend the Opposition Leader.

According to Mark, the opposition is also planning to confront the speaker at this week's sitting of the Lower House as he said all members will be walking to the Parliament with their notebook computers.
An issue that also sparked the clash was that, just a week before, Parliament approved the granting of a free laptop to every member of Parliament. However, there were no written protocols or rules regarding when and how the computers should be used in Parliament.

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