AG blasts Walton-Desir, Nigel Hughes for attack on Speaker for enforcing parliamentary language
In a scathing attack on opposition figures, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, has sharply criticised Amanza Walton-Desir and presidential aspirant Nigel Hughes for their recent comments regarding the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, and his enforcement of parliamentary expressions.
On his weekly programme, ‘Issues In The News,’ Nandlall took aim at what he described as an unfair assault on the Speaker’s decision to prevent the use of certain expressions in the parliamentary chamber.
He noted that the Speaker was merely upholding the rules of the National Assembly, rules that have been in place since Guyana’s independence in 1966. “You would appreciate, and anyone who has any fleeting acquaintance with Parliament, that there are rules governing what is said in the Parliament and governing basic conduct of members in the Parliament, as well as visitors,” Nandlall said.
He explained that these regulations include a code of conduct for addressing fellow parliamentarians, the Speaker, and even visitors, and outlined that expressions deemed “unparliamentary” are prohibited.
“In every Parliament, there is a glossary of expressions that are considered unparliamentary expressions, and parliamentarians are prohibited by the rules of Parliament from using these types of terminologies and these expressions,” Nandlall stated.
Nandlall further highlighted that Guyana, like many former British colonies, follows parliamentary practices inherited from Great Britain, including the enforcement of these standards.
“It is the function of the Speaker to draw that to the attention of the particular user of the language and to forbid him or her from continuing to use that language in the Parliament,” he noted, recalling his own experience being reminded by the Speaker about using inappropriate language.
He clarified that while the rules surrounding language might be subject to change, it is the role of the Parliamentary Management Committee, composed of both government and opposition members, to review and update the glossary of prohibited expressions.
“The list of parliamentary prohibited expressions is a product of that committee,” he stressed.However, Nandlall voiced strong condemnation of those who have attempted to blame the Speaker for prohibiting certain words, such as “corruption.”
“It is highly hypocritical. It’s highly duplicitous. It is morally wrong for one parliamentarian to convey the impression that the Speaker is muzzling debates in the parliament because of the prohibition against the use of certain language or certain words,” Nandlall declared.
He also criticised Hughes, who had earlier posted on social media accusing the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) leadership of banning the word “corruption” in Parliament.
The AG lambasted Hughes for his remarks, pointing out the absurdity of blaming a political party for the Speaker’s enforcement of parliamentary rules.
“How does a ruling from the Speaker, in that regard, graduate to become a decision of the People’s Progressive Party leadership? You have to be a fringe element. You have to have no reasoning power to make that type of connection,” Nandlall remarked.
He further disparaged Hughes for what he described as a series of “outrageous statements,” particularly in relation to his political views and his stance on issues such as the oil and gas sector.
“He believes that the Guyanese population will excuse him on that ground. He doesn’t speak on it, and he thinks that the Guyanese electorate will consider him a worthy leader,” Nandlall said, adding that Hughes’ allegiance lies with foreign oil companies rather than the people of Guyana.
