By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Notwithstanding the refusal to issue an apology to Opposition Parliamentarian Jaipaul Sharma, Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman has lifted the ban he placed on Education Minister Priya Manickchand to participate in the budget debates 2014.
The Speaker told the House moments ago that after reviewing the events on video, both leading up to the incident and after and taking into account what was said by both Manickchand and Sharma, he will not be hindering her from participating in the debates.
Trotman said it was clear that the APNU member did not feel impugned by the statement and believed it referred to his father who is not an MP.
The Speaker’s announcement was met with rejection by APNU Chief Whip Amna Ally who rose to her feet to tell the Assembly that while she respects the Speaker’s ruling she believes that the attack was personal and demanded an apology.
The Speaker said it was her right but he could not demand that the PPP MP do same.
Trotman had banned Manickchand from participating in the Budget Debates – 2014, after she failed to offer an apology to APNU Member of Parliament Jaipaul Sharma.
The Speaker had asked the Minister to apologize after she heckled “ask the APNU member Sharma” while MP Volda Lawrence was addressing the issue of rape in the society during her very emotive presentation.
Trotman said then “I deem it to be highly improper and if you don’t apologize I will not recognize you to participate in this debate.”
Manickchand stood to her feet after the objection was raised by Sharma and the Speaker and refused to apologize.
She said she was in no way hitting at MP Sharma. There were allegations of rape leveled against the father of MP Sharma, CN Sharma.
