(Trinidad Express) Sports Minister Anil Roberts yesterday became the first Government MP in this session to be sent to the Privileges Committee for a possible contempt of Parliament.
House Speaker Wade Mark ruled that a prima facie case had been made out by People’s National Movement MP Amery Browne, who alleged that Roberts deliberately misled the House when he categorically stated on more than one occasion that there were no expletives used during the recent Nicki Minaj concert.
A slightly embarrassed and surprised Roberts tried to smile as Mark gave his ruling.
Mark said in support of his submission Browne provided to him (Mark) what he claimed to be actual footage of the concert as well as footage produced by MTV.
The Speaker said it was relevant to note that last Friday, Roberts made a Personal Explanation in the House, in which he acknowledged that his statement on the previous Friday “could have been open to varying interpretations”.
“As Honourable Members would recall, the Honourable Minister offered the House an apology for the fact that his statements may have been structured to create the unfortunate impression that he intended to mislead the House. He further stated that he had no intention whatever to deliberately mislead the Honourable House,” Mark said.
Mark noted that Browne’s submission was: 1. that the information conveyed to the House by Roberts were inaccurate; 2. that when he made the statement on November 26 Roberts knew or at least ought to have known that it was inaccurate; 3. that Roberts intended to mislead the House.
“Without an admission of actual intent to mislead, the Chair must be satisfied, based on the facts alleged and all the material placed before him, that there is more than a remote or distant possibility, or ‘intention to mislead’ requiring the consideration of the relevant committee,” he said.
Mark said in deciding whether a prima facie case of contempt has been made out, the Chair must carefully consider the facts alleged and all the information placed before him.
“I have done just that and find that a prima facie case of contempt has indeed been made out. I so rule and refer this matter to the Committee of Privileges for consideration and report,” he said.
Former prime minister Patrick Manning was the first MP to be referred to the Privileges Committee during this session, for allegations made with respect to the Prime Minister’s private residence.
Manning had also been referred to the Privileges Committee by former speaker Barry Sinanan in the last session for allegedly misleading Parliament on the issue of lands given to the Baptists by the United National Congress administration.
