By Clint Chan Tack Saturday, September 5 2009

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UNC MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh...sent to Privileges Committee....

SPEAKER Barry Sinanan yesterday ruled that Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh should be sent to the Privileges Committee of the House of Representatives for claiming ethnic cleansing was taking place at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH).

Sinanan delivered this ruling as the House held its first session after the mid-year break. The Speaker recalled Gopeesingh made this charge in the House on July 17 and on July 22, Public Administration Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh asked that this matter be referred to the Privileges Committee.

Quoting from the 23rd edition Erskine May’s Parliamentary Practice, Sinanan said a member’s statement must be misleading, incorrect at the time it was made and the member must have intended to mislead the Parliament for the matter to be referred to the Privileges Committee.

Stating that all three criteria have been satisfied in Gopeesingh’s case, Sinanan said the Caroni East MP’s charge was “extreme and unfortunate” given his medical background which included a stint as chairman of the North West Regional Authority, under which the PoSGH falls.

While this does not mean problems or deficiencies do not exist at the PoSGH or elsewhere which warrant the House’s attention, Sinanan advised Gopeesingh: “This must be done by the proper procedure.” Referring to a Hansard copy of Gopeesingh’s contribution on July 22, Sinanan said the UNC MP indicated that he “was told” about alleged ethnic cleansing at PoSGH but did not know it was a fact.

“A member cannot escape responsibility of a statement he makes in Parliament by putting it in someone else’s mouth,” the Speaker warned Government and Opposition parliamentarians.

Explaining that it was proper for MPs to apologise to the House when the statements they make are wrong, Sinanan said: “Apologising to the House in the face of irrefutable evidence that an incorrect and inappropriate statement has been uttered also enhances the credibility of the member.” He advised MPs that “credibility is a form of immeasurable wealth which no sensible member will choose to squander.” The Speaker again reminded parliamentarians that freedom of speech was one of the privileges they enjoy and a privilege which must never be abused.

“The privilege of free speech carries with it the obligation to use it responsibly,” he stated. Sinanan added that MPs must only use this privilege “in the interest of serving the public, since it has been conferred on the Parliament in the public interest.” He then ruled that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee “for its mature deliberation and report.”

In response, Gopeesingh said he has always respected the rulings of the Chair and “will undoubtedly continue to do so.”

While he was confident that the committee would deliberate on this issue in a “fair and equitable manner,” Gopeesingh said he will not be deterred or intimidated from exposing the wrongs committed by the Government.