Gail Alexander
Senior Political Reporter
Senate President Wade Mark issued a stern warning to members of the Upper House yesterday that words or actions that cross the line into harassment, intimidation, or attempts to shame senators for how they vote, or to pressure them to vote in a particular way, will not be tolerated or taken lightly.
“Let this serve as a clear warning to all. This House, and certainly this chair, will act firmly to protect the privileges, rights, and immunities of this Senate collectively and each Senator individually,” Mark said in a strong statement to the Senate.
Mark gave his ruling following Sunday’s media conference by United National Congress public relations officer Kirk Meighoo, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath and Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein. The trio launched a scathing attack on Independent Senators about a recent debate in the Senate and strongly called out the nine Independents to support yesterday’s debate on the Government’s move to amend the Prime Minister’s Pension Bill.
However, Mark began yesterday’s sitting, stating, “A serious issue has been raised with me via correspondence, which I have determined warrants my early and urgent intervention.
“Parliamentary privilege provides essential protection from external interference of any kind. It guarantees Members of this Parliament the freedom to speak, deliberate, and vote without fear or coercion. This is enshrined in Section 55(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago which provides, and I quote: ‘Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and to the rules and standing orders regulating the procedure of the Senate and House of Representatives, there shall be freedom of speech in the Senate and House of Representatives’.”
Mark added, “This freedom is not a mere courtesy; it is a fundamental constitutional right—sacrosanct and is beyond challenge or compromise.
“As further affirmed in Parliamentary Privilege in Canada (Second Edition) by JP Joseph Maingot, QC, page 253: ‘To reflect improperly on a vote in the House and the motives of some Members is a breach of privilege’.
“Let me be clear: healthy criticism is not only permitted, it is expected in any functioning democracy. No one is suggesting that expressions of disappointment over policy outcomes, or disagreement with a vote, are out of bounds. But what we’re dealing with here is not mere criticism. When words or actions cross the line into harassment, intimidation, or attempts to shame Senators for how they vote or pressure them to vote in a particular way - that is something entirely different — and it will not be tolerated.”
The Senate President stressed: “Such actions strike at the very heart of parliamentary democracy and may constitute a serious breach of privilege. They will NOT be taken lightly.
“Every single member of this Senate, whether Independent, Opposition or Government Senator, possesses the inalienable right to speak and vote freely, guided by conscience and without undue influence. These are not abstract ideals; they are binding principles.
“Let this serve as a clear warning to all. This House, and certainly this chair, will act firmly to protect the privileges, rights, and immunities of this Senate collectively and each Senator individually. That protection will be exercised to the full extent of the Senate’s authority and, if necessary, the appropriate avenues for redress will be pursued without hesitation.”
UNC not backing down
Meanwhile, UNC PRO Meighoo, when contacted yesterday, responded to the Senate President’s warning: “Analysis and criticism is not intimidation. Furthermore, I am a political scientist. Analysing politics and the Constitution is my profession. I stand by my every word.
“I too have an inalienable right to freedom of political expression. I also have a right not to be intimidated or threatened in the course of doing my duty.”
Padarath read Guardian Media’s question about Mark’s ruling via WhatsApp but did not respond. Hosein also had no response.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar did not respond to questions about the matter.
However, Government Senator Phillip Alexander said, “I stand in solidarity with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her team. Some issues were noted and raised and those who were named might want to do some introspection. We have to work together to serve the people of this country and need to put aside any other notion and get down to that business.”
Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi, in yesterday’s Senate debate, said of the intimidation issue, “All eyes have been on the Independent bench since an incredible attack against the Independent bench by the Government (on Sunday). Lesson perhaps marked and learned, we new to this Parliament, I don’t think anybody means anything pejorative.”