Notice has been served in the National Assembly of PNCR-1G MP Deborah Backer’s intention to move a motion to have Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh questioned before the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges in relation to the motion he moved to have her disciplined.

Deborah Backer’

The motion comes after Dr Singh moved a motion during the sitting of the National Assembly on October 22, 2009, to have Backer appear before the Committee of Privileges in keeping with Standing Order No.32.

Singh had objected to statements made by Backer on torture in relation to joint services ranks who were travelling to Trinidad to boost the security operations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference.

Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran ruled on the October 22 motion that a prima facie case had been made out against Backer and referred the matter to the Committee of Privileges, which addresses disciplinary action against members of the House.

Backer’s motion is seeking to question Singh, through counsel or directly on the issue, since he was the one who moved the motion for her to be held in contempt of the House.

The PNCR-1G MP, in her motion, explained that when she appeared before the Committee of Privileges on November 25, she enquired of her right to directly or through counsel question Singh.

According to the motion, she was subsequently informed that in order for this to be done, she was “required to table a motion in the National Assembly requesting leave of the House to do so.”

In the motion, Backer is arguing that the rules of natural justice permit an accused person to be given an opportunity to question his or her accuser.

Since the National Assembly is the highest court of Guyana, she stated that it “is duty bound to adhere to the tenets of natural justice.”

The next step would be for the motion to be scheduled for debate.