Ex-Speaker hits out at Annisette-George for leaving Chamber during ruling on Young

A former House Speaker has criticised Bridgid Annisette-George for her decision to leave the Lower House on Thursday, opting not to adjudicate a motion of privileges against Energy Minister Stuart Young.

Former Speaker and attorney Nizam Mohammed expressed his astonishment at Annisette-George’s actions.

Annisette-George had just concluded the Standing Finance Committee meeting and addressed the House regarding Young’s comments made at a prior session.

Young was caught on a “hot” microphone suggesting that Persad-Bissessar was exiting the chamber to engage in a sexual act with a woman in the restroom.

The Speaker described his remarks aimed at the Opposition Leader as “crass, reprehensible, homophobic, and misogynistic.”

Following her strong condemnation, she ruled that Young must apologise to the House and withdraw his statement.

However, shortly after delivering her verdict, Annisette-George exited the chamber, allowing Deputy House Speaker Esmond Forde to permit Opposition Chief Whip David Lee to move a motion requesting that Young be brought before the Privileges Committee. That motion was rejected.

Former House Speaker and attorney Nizam Mohammed expressed his astonishment at Annisette-George’s actions. He said it was unprecedented for a Speaker—an authority comparable to a judge—to partially hear a matter before transferring control to another individual. Mohammed, who served as Speaker from 1987 to 1991, called the situation “horrifying,” noting that the Deputy Speaker appeared ready to continue addressing the singular issue.

He characterised the situation as a “well-orchestrated game of musical chairs,” questioning the procedural integrity of both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

“Surely, if the records of the conduct of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are compared, you will find that the conclusion arrived at was based on contradictory premises on the part of both officials,” he stated.

When contacted for comment, Annisette-George explained that “Having regard to the similarity of the subject matter on the item Announcements by the Speaker and the privilege matter and the potential for the issue of bias (actual or perceived) arising, I recused myself to allow for an independent deliberation on the privilege matter in accordance with Standing Order 32 and the Parliamentary practice procedure and precedent relevant thereto which should guide that deliberation.”

Deputy Speaker Forde did not respond to questions about his ruling.

According to Parliamentary standing orders, the Opposition has the right to object to the ruling. However, Opposition Chief Whip David Lee said, “the Deputy Speaker ruled on my motion. So we have to respect his ruling.”

Webster-Roy:

No discord in the PNM

Meanwhile, there were questions as to why some Government MPs present during Young’s apology to the House were not seen visibly showing their support to him.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar questioned if this signalled some discord in the PNM. One such member in question was Tobago East MP, Ayanna Webster-Roy. Yesterday she responded to the claims saying there was unity in the PNM.

“My colleague expressed sincere apologies on two separate occasions. The first apology was issued through a formal statement several days earlier; the second instance occurred directly on the floor of the House during a session, where he took the opportunity to address the matter in front of fellow members. Both apologies were made thoughtfully and in good faith, reflecting genuine remorse.

“I am not aware of any discord amongst the team. We are focused on doing the business of the people and ensuring that we implement policies and programmes to bring about social and economic stability while not losing sight of our commitment to our party.”

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