Young escapes Privileges Committee

Energy Minister and Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Stuart Young narrowly escaped the Privileges Committee last evening, after being instructed by House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George to apologise to the Parliament for his “crass” comment towards Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar last Thursday.

During the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) debate in Parliament, Young was caught by a “hot” microphone using obscene language and implying that Persad-Bissessar was leaving the chamber to perform a sexual act in the toilet.

He further suggested that Couva North MP Ravi Ratiram would “run girls” for UNC MPs in the backroom of the Red House, saying he could no longer use PTSC buses for that purpose. Ratiram was investigated by the PTSC in 2012 for alleged misbehaviour in office but no evidence was found to take to the police.

Young was alerted to the microphone being on by Finance Minister Colm Imbert. Communications Minister Symon De Nobriga was also snickering on the back bench. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh attempted to admonish his colleague, but Young retorted that he (Deyalsingh) should not call his name.

At the end of yesterday’s SFC, which saw the 2025 Budget being passed, the House Speaker convened the sitting of the House of Representatives and said she was compelled to address Parliament on the widely publicised matter, which brought the House into odium and disrepute.

Slamming Young’s comments as derogatory, homophobic and misogynistic, Annisette-George said she did not hear it when it was made, as she was replacing Deputy House Speaker Edmond Forde at the time. However, she said despite it being accidentally broadcasted, it was not excusable.

“Members, if we are conscious of our roles as leaders in society, we would understand that the remarks were even more damaging given their misogynistic and homophobic character, as well as their criminal insinuations. As a woman, I am naturally led to condemn statements which seek to indecently portray another woman; statements which trivialise criminal activities which exploit women, or statements which impute improper conduct on the part of other members,” Annisette-George told the House.

“It matters not that the Member for Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West was not directly making a contribution. It matters not that those deplorable words were uttered sotto voce but unwittingly captured by an open microphone. It matters not that the utterances of the Member for Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West were not captured by Hansard. The incontrovertible fact is that those remarks, which may have been intended to be inaudible in certain parts of the Chamber, have now been heard across the country, as a reflection of the Members of this House, and in particular the Member for Port-of- Spain North/St Ann’s West. A reflection that diminishes the dignity of this House and, in particular the Member.”

Annisette-George demanded an apology and withdrawal of the unparliamentary language. She said while Young apologised on social media, it was not satisfactory.

“I have taken note that there is circulating in the public domain a statement akin to an apology attributable to the Member of Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West… I am of the view that it does not satisfy that which is required of him to purge himself of his despicable behaviour in this House.”

Young was not the only MP to be criticised on the Government bench, as those who did not stop him also received Annisette-George’s ire.

“Any member who actively participated in, supported or passively encouraged such crass discourse has also failed in this duty (to uphold the standing orders) and cannot escape the focus of this reprimand. Thankfully, one neighbouring member rose to the highest traditions expected of members of this House by showing his disdain for what he heard,” she said as she hinted at Deyalsingh’s response.

Motion to send Young

to Privileges Committee

Immediately after the House Speaker’s request that Young apologise to the House, Pointe-a-Pierre MP and UNC Chief Whip David Lee requested that a motion of privilege be brought against him.

“The words/statements by the member against the Opposition MPs and the Opposition Leader were vulgar and misogynistic which, from their plain and ordinary meaning and/or imputation, were sufficient to bring this House into odium, contempt or ridicule by lowering its authority,” he said.

Lee requested that Young be referred to the Privileges Committee based on the breach of parliamentary privilege by his use of obscene, offensive and insulting language, which amounted to contempt of the House. He said this was compounded because the statements brought the House into odium, contempt or ridicule.

Young’s apology to House

Addressing Deputy Speaker Esmond Forde after Annisette-George left the chamber, Young began his apology, once again admitting that he utilised colloquial terms that were unparliamentary.

He took full responsibility for his actions and utterances, insisting that it was never his intention to embarrass Parliament.

“I take full responsibility for my actions and utterances and would like to record my humblest apology to the House, the members of the House and to the population whom I represent for my indiscretion and the ensuing disturbance that my words have caused. I assure you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and those that I am privileged to represent that it is never my intention to bring odium to this august House and the Parliament which I will always do my best to protect.”

He added, “In the circumstances, I withdraw the unparliamentary language and I ask that my unreserved apology for the said utterances be recorded and I conclude by reaffirming my commitment to the Parliament and the people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.”

During his apology, he did not mention Persad-Bissessar specifically.

Deputy House Speaker’s ruling

Following the apology, Forde said he had considered the circumstances and examined the personal explanation made by Young.

“As we all heard, the member has unreservedly apologised for his behaviour and withdrawn his unparliamentary comments. By apologising, the minister has demonstrated remorse for his comments, reaffirmed his commitment to the values and norms which obtain in this House and rejected his previous behaviour which fell far beneath what is expected as a member of Parliament,” he said.

“Honourable members, I am sure you would agree with me that it would be beneath the dignity of this House not to accept the apology of the honourable member for Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West. I therefore rule that the matter referred to me by the member for Point-a-Pierre does not warrant any further action by this House or its privileges committee,” he added.

Forde concluded by urging all members to uphold the dignity of the House.

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