Golding Accused of Breaking House Tradition With ‘Indirect Attack’ on Juliet Holness

Finance minister, Dr. Nigel Clarke, has accused opposition leader, Mark Golding of violating long standing conventions by indirectly attacking the character of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Juliet Holness.

Dr. Clarke says the Mr. Golding’s comments represent a new low.

The finance minister says the opposition’s conduct during Tuesday’s sitting undermines the Speaker of the House based on who she’s married to.

He says women should never be defined by the men in their lives.

Dr. Clarke says the opposition’s posture has brought into question whether they can be trusted on important national issues.

Dr. Nigel Clarke, finance minister.

It’s understood the government is considering whether to refer the Opposition Leader to the Ethics Committee of the House over his comments.

Meanwhile, president of the Senate, Tom Tavares Finson, believes the statement about Juliet Holness by opposition leader, Mark Golding, demonstrated a breach of parliamentary conventions regarding the respect that should be shown to the office of House Speaker.

He says Golding’s comments undermine the elevation of women on their own merit.

Tom Tavares Finson, President of the Senate.

And, Deputy Leader of Government Business in the House, Olivia Grange, says Mr. Golding’s comments brought the House of Representatives into disrepute.

She says Mrs. Holness’ appointment was seconded by Leader of Opposition Business, Phillip Paulwell with no objections.

Olivia Grange, Deputy Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives.

Tauna Thomas & Chevon Campbell contributed to this report.