Golding Attack on House Speaker Sparks Political Row

A full blown political row is now raging between the governing JLP and the opposition PNP.

The row erupted Tuesday afternoon when Opposition Leader, Mark Golding, attacked the impartiality of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Juliet Holness based on her relationship with the head of the executive.

Mrs. Holness is the wife of Prime Minister Andrew Holness. A visibly angry prime minister led government members in a walk out, following Golding’s comments.

This lead to the abrupt end to the Opposition Leader’s budget presentation because of a lack of quorum in the 63 member House of Representatives.

Robian Williams tells us more.

Mr. Golding was nearing the end of his budget presentation when he said this.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness was the first to leave the chamber, followed by several government MPs.

It was Mr. Warmington who returned to the chamber to inform the Deputy House Speaker, Heroy Clarke, that he was duty bound to adjourn the sitting due to the lack of a quorum.

The PNP has only 14 MPs and the Standing Orders require at least 17 members to be present for any sitting of the House.

However, despite the adjournment, the opposition leader took to the streets just outside Gordon House to continue his presentation.

He completed his objection to Mrs. Holness sitting as Speaker of the House of Representatives.