| Prime Minister and Leader of the House, Moses Nagamootoo, reacting to the recent High Court ruling thatPrime MinisterMoses Nagamootootwo technocrat ministers should not sit in the National Assembly, has said that the Coalition Government is committed to respecting the ruling and the judgment of the court.This, he said, will be obeyed when or until the ruling is reversed.“We do not believe there is any merit in the claim of the opposition that Minister Keith Scott or Minister Winston Felix should not sit in the National Assembly, as technocrats. They, in our view, are not elected members of the National Assembly. Their names were drawn from a list of coalition candidates but they were made Members of Parliament by virtue of being technocrat ministers.“Today, we reaffirm our faith in the rule of law and our respect for the judiciary as an independent arm of the state,” he said.“As champions of the separation of powers, as champions of the independence of the judiciary,Tom Brady Michigan Jersey, and in respect for all constitutional bodies and institutions,De Aaron Fox Kentucky Jersey, we will, until these rulings are reversed,Dwyane Wade Marquette Jersey, stick with the rulings of the court,” the Prime Minister reiterated.He also explained that a notice for a stay of execution and an appeal of the ruling are underway.Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott, in keeping with the ruling, absented themselves from today’s Budget Debates.The move came after retiring acting Chief Justice Ian Chang ruled that the two ministers were elected members hence they could not sit in the House as un-elected/technocratic members.House Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland told the House that the ministers would not be occupying their seats.Dr. Scotland addressing the National Assembly,Peyton Siva Louisville Jersey, said that he and others must “unequivocally, respect the decisions of a Court.”He added,Denard Robinson Michigan Jersey, “Whatever views may exist in relation to a decision of the Court at any time,Len Bias Maryland Jersey, the first obligation is to obey those decisions, and then proceed from there.” The Speaker said he was not served with a Court Order,Derrick Rose Memphis Jersey, but was aware of the decision of the High Court.Dr. Scotland said that whilst he had received a copy of the ruling from People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) front-bencher, Anil Nandlall, he decided to act based on reports in the media.Attorney General,Kirk Cousins Michigan State Jersey, Basil Williams said the Coalition Government would always abide by the rule of law, but at the same time he emphasised that the decision would be appealed, via a filing to have the recent ruling “discharged and set aside.”He added, “We will uphold the rule of law,Josh Jackson Kansas Jersey, but we shall ensure that we shall leave no stone un-turned to restore our brothers Scott and Felix to their rightful places in this honourable House.” |
