PNCR walks out of Parliament – over lack of consultation on Broadcast Bill

The PNCR this afternoon walked out of the National Assembly as the Broadcast Bill was about to be debated with the party’s leader, Robert Corbin, saying that the process “contravened every level of consultation.”

The Broadcast Bill was coming up for its second reading and as it was about to be introduced, Corbin stood up and said that the process contravened every level of consultation and was also “a travesty of justice”. He referred to past talks between President Bharrat Jagdeo and the late PNCR leader, Desmond Hoyte.

Corbin said his party had made a request for the bill to be deferred or sent to a Special Select Committee but got no response from the government. Therefore, he said, the PNCR cannot be a part of the debate and led a walkout of the party’s MPs.

PPP/C Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, said that no official request had been made by the PNCR.

Acting Speaker, Anil Nandlall, then said that he did not have any request from the opposition.