PUP Cayo South representative Julius Espat wasn't at the House of Representatives today. He stayed at his divisional office sitting out the first session of an indefinite suspension. Espat never showed up at the House as he said he would on Tuesday. He backed down off the hard talk yesterday when he said that he would simply be dressed and waiting for the call to "come on down" to the House Meeting. But that call never came, because the PUP's Senior Parliamentarian Said Musa's effort to introduce a "privilege motion" never got off the ground. Here's how Musa tried to float it, and how the Speaker Mike Peyrefitte swatted it down:...
Rt. Hon. Said Musa, PUP Fort George
"The question, and this is important Mr. Speaker, a vital matter that goes to the heart of what happens in this house. Every decision, every resolution certainly a fundamental one like suspending a member, has in the final analysis to be voted on even though there's no debate, as the rules call for, there has to be a decision of the house. In other words, the question should have been put and the house should have voted without the debate as the rules say. That did not take place so it is our view respectfully, Mr. Speaker that the suspension of the member from the service of the house was therefore highly irregular and I'm saying the standing order was not followed."
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Speaker of The House
"Okay so then what you're saying is, because member in short that you did not agree with how I did it. I am saying I did it how I did it and I believe I was correct. If you believe I was wrong, then tender a regular motion and see if it will be voted on to reverse."
Rt. Hon. Said Musa, PUP Fort George
"The whole point of my rising today is to find a formula to ensure that the member should be reinstated in this house as soon as possible. And I was saying Mr. Speaker all that transpired in August has brought, and I am saying this as my opinion now, this house into disrepute. Now you might say the member acted disrespectfully, but remember also that on that occasion the member was prepared and indeed offered an apology, but it was not accepted. It is time to put an end to what I consider a blot on our national honor and dignity as a democratic nation. The member for Cayo South has a right to sit in this House of Representatives and to represent his people. That is why I wanted to move a motion."
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Speaker of The House
"It has to be seen as convenient member, that you choose to want to make a privileges motion after the Supreme Court rejected you. I hear you clearly saying that....."
Rt. Hon. Said Musa, PUP Fort George
"The court did not decide the issue."
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Speaker of The House
"The supreme court decided essentially that we must solve our problems among ourselves. Then why did the member for Cayo South go to the Supreme Court then? You are a senior council member, didn't you advise him? Didn't you tell him, listen to me. You have at least 3 lawyers over on that side of the house, couldn't one of you have told him 'listen let's solve this thing internally' because then member, you talk about the disgrace that happened. You're asking for a privileged motion but yes this member got up, threw his papers down, almost took of the head of the side member for Stann Creek West, and talk about which one of you thief over there will name me and that the proceedings in this house are a joke. How can you disrespect this place, go to the court, get rejected and now expect mercy from this place? He needs to reinstate and re-establish his respect for this house before he can be considered by this house. It's not up to me, and then one more thing, you are making a privilege motion for the member to be allowed back in the house but that's not what he's saying. What he is saying is that he will appeal the decision of the Supreme Court. So then if he appeals it all the way to the CCJ, and it takes a year or two, he's telling us that he is prepared to sit out for a year or two."
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