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by pltm
(PLTM) - Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe opted not to confirm or deny media reports that she will be a candidate for the National Democratic Party (NDP) at the next general elections.
Meanwhile, it was announced that Attorney General (AG), Baba Aziz will be providing a written comment on the issue of whether it is lawful and ethical for her to continue to preside over the House sittings.
“Madame Speaker, I think that you owe it to the House now to verify for the record of this House, whether or not there is any merit in the news report that stated that you as Speaker of the House is now an At Large candidate to contest the upcoming general elections under the NDP banner,” Hon. Andrew Fahie, Opposition Leader asked Hon. Moses-Scatliffe on a point of information as the House was nearing completion last evening, September 20.
He added, “I think it is a simple yes or a simple no. I don’t think it is up to anybody (AG) to bring anything, because not answering is an answer.”
However, the Speaker said that she waited until no one else was listed to speak, to indicate that the AG will be presenting an opinion on the matter at the next setting.
Two members had raised the issue—Deputy Premier and government member, Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering and Opposition Member and Third District Representative, Hon. Julian Fraser.
Dr. Pickering said that while he knows it is not illegal for the Speaker to sit, it is an abuse of privilege.
“…I recall vividly two members mentioned about rumours, and I thought that the House of Assembly was a House of fact. So, you are asking me to confirm a rumour,” the Speaker said in response to Hon. Fahie.
Premier and Finance Minister, Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith commented, “…As I understand it, the Speaker or position is not a public office...The Attorney General has been asked to look into the matter and he has assured us that he will give a written comment on that, and so we await to hear the written comment from the Attorney General.”
The House of Assembly meets again on Tuesday, October 2.
Media reports which were initially reported by BVI Platinum News, were that Moses-Scatliffe was one of three persons chosen by the NDP executive earlier this month to run At-Large at the next general elections. Since the article, the persons named have not confirmed or deny the reports.
As reported earlier this week, Chapter 5 of the Virgin Islands Constitution of 2007 states that if the office of Speaker falls vacant for any reason, other than a dissolution of the House of Assembly, the House shall as soon as practicable elect another person to that office.
“The Speaker shall be elected from among the elected members of the House of Assembly or from persons qualified to be elected members of the House, other than Ministers, and no person shall be elected as Speaker if he or she is a person disqualified for election as a member of the House by virtue of any provision of section 66(1), other than paragraph (f),” the Constitution states.
It also explains that the Speaker or, in his or her absence, the Deputy Speaker or, if they are both absent, a member of the House of Assembly (not being a member of the Cabinet) elected by the House for that sitting shall preside at each sitting of the House.
This indicates that a person can be part of a political party and still hold the post of Speaker.
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