Speaker Will Not Interfere in Matters Now in Police Hands
The Speaker of Parliament, Dr Jiko Luveni, will not interfere in a matter regarding the National Federation Party (NFP) and a Government Member of Parliament.
A letter is understood to have been submitted by the NFP whip, Prem Singh, in regards to an alleged incident at the Constitution Avenue carpark outside Parliament on Thursday May 17.
The letter was from a NFP-Youth wing member alleging that he was threatened by a Government MP when he was confronted because of a certain social media post of how they were treated during their Parliamentary submissions on Human Rights Treaties.
However, Dr Luveni, in an email response to questions sent to her, said: “As rightfully pointed out in the letter from the NFP, the comments were made outside Parliament.
“Given that the Fiji Police Force is now involved, it would be ‘inappropriate’ for the Speaker to interfere further on the matter.”
Dr Luveni said she had perused the materials submitted by the NFP whip Mr Singh, regarding the alleged incident.
Standing Order 70(1) provides that the Speaker maintains order and decorum in Parliament.
Moreover, Standing Orders 62, 75, 76 and 79, to name a few, are notable provisions in the Standing Orders which allows the Speaker to address disorderly conduct in the Parliament.
She said: “Essentially, these Standing Orders refer to a member speaking either in Parliament, or a committee of the Parliament. These are the ‘proceedings in Parliament’ to which various protections apply”.
With reference to the submission by the NFP, the allegation is related to comments.
Edited by Percy Kean
Feedback: losirene.lacanivalu@fijisun.com.fj
