Privileges Committee meets, Rowley to appear soon
Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley will appear before the House of Representatives Privileges Committee soon.
This after the House of Representatives Privileges Committee convened at Tower D of the Port of Spain International Waterfront Centre shortly after 10am on Monday.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had referred Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley to the Privileges Committee of the House of Representatives on May 22nd and there was speculation that the Privileges Committee meeting was called to discuss Dr. Rowley.
However, the majority of the Committee, including St. Augustine MP Prakash Ramadhar, refused to comment on Dr. Rowley’s involvement or any details of the meeting.
Mr. Ramadhar said: “Just to say that the work of the Privileges Committee is extraordinarily confidential and we could make no comment on any matter that is before the Privileges Committee. I cannot answer that question as you appreciate. I wish I could but I can’t.”
Dr. Tim Gopeesingh said the refusal to divulge details was in keeping with the Parliamentary Rules as commenting on the proceedings of the Privileges Committee was not allowed.
“Under Section 81, I think, of the Parliamentary Rules, the work of the Privileges Committee cannot be divulged unless it comes to the House.”
Although most members remained silent on what business was before them, PNM MP Donna Cox let it slip that Dr. Rowley would soon appear before the Committee.
“That will be soon. We will be meeting again next week.”
The MP for Diego Martin North East, Mr. Colm Imbert, remained mum on the matter, saying he had spent too many years on the Committee to be drawn into a comment.
“I’ve been on the Privileges Committee now for more than 10 years. I have never, ever given out any information with respect to the deliberations of the Committee. I don’t intend to start now. That will be against the rules. Other people may do it but not me.”
As she was leaving the Parliament building, Ms. Cox said the Committee would meet again on Wednesday June 12th.