Senior Political Reporter
Deputy House Speaker Esmond Forde has ruled that there is no prima facie case to have Attorney General Reginald Armour sent before Parliament’s Privileges Committee, as UNC MP Saddam Hosein recently requested.
Forde did so at Wednesday’s House of Representatives sitting.
Hosein made his request to have Armour sent to the Privileges Committee, after claiming Armour misled the Parliament when he said (during a Standing Finance Committee meeting on May 5) that he provided Parliament with a summary listing of names of attorneys who had been paid legal fees.
In Parliament on Wednesday, Armour delivered a statement explaining the situation, noting that he inadvertently, and incorrectly stated that the information was provided, that it wasn’t deliberate, and he apologised to the House and Hosein.
Forde, ruling on Hosein’s request, noted that at the sitting earlier, Armour, via personal explanation, stated that his comments, which led to the matter of privilege being raised, were made with reference to documents which had been provided to him and which were in his possession during the deliberations of the Standing Finance Committee.
Forde noted, “He admitted to inadvertently, and incorrectly stating that the information had been provided to the Parliament and further explained that the error was neither deliberate nor intended to mislead this Honourable House.”
Forde noted that Armour also apologised to Hosein and the House. He reminded members that when assurances, promises and undertakings are given by ministers on the floor, “It falls within their personal responsibility to ensure that the information to be delivered to the House is accurate and complete and most importantly, that the information is in fact delivered.”
“I am satisfied with the explanation and the apology of the Attorney General in relation to this issue and I am equally satisfied that this explanation was done at the earliest opportunity, as is our practice. I, therefore, rule that the matter does not constitute a prima facie breach of privilege warranting its referral to the Committee of Privileges,” Forde added.
Forde also warned Opposition MPs against their excessively long loud desk-thumping during the sitting.