No confidence motions still being reviewed by the AG’s office – Clerk of the National Assembly

(Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Minister Robeson Benn)

Three motions of no confidence, two against Ministers of Government and one against the Leader of the Opposition are with the Attorney General, says Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Issacs.

The two motions against Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony and Home Affairs Robeson Benn were submitted to the Clerk in early July and a motion of no confidence in the Leader of the Opposition Joseph Harmon was submitted shortly after by the Leader of Government business, Prime Minister Mark Phillips.

Leader of the Opposition Joseph Harmon

Asked if it is the norm for the Attorney General to review the motions, the Clerk of the National Assembly said that the Speaker of the House Manzoor Nadir “wanted to be careful”.

“What I found and what I brought to the Speaker’s attention, there is some article in the constitution that speaks to the removal of the Leader of the Opposition from office and it deals with the law,” Mr Issacs pointed out,  “What you find, anything to do with the Standing Orders, I think I am very familiar with the Standing Orders and I am capable of advising the Speaker, but this one has to do with the law, the constitution, is the supreme law and I am not a lawyer, I was unable to advise the speaker on the motion in relation to the removal of the Leader of the Opposition,” Issacs said.

The Clerk said that he spoke with Attorney General Anil Nandlall earlier this week and was told that the AG’s response on the motions will be with the Clerk’s office “before the end of the week.”

The National Assembly will meet on 3rd August and there is another sitting planned for the 9th August before the National Assembly goes into its annual two month recess.