House Speaker Dr Kendal Major did not allow Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn to explain why it was necessary to appoint a select committee over the nolle prosequi signed by then acting Attorney General Jerome Fitzgerald.
Dr Major said yesterday that Mr Lightbourn would only be allowed to speak on the matter under two conditions which included being granted leave by the leader of government business, Dr Bernard Nottage or during a private meeting in the Speaker’s Chambers.
“It seems to me that members opposite,” Mr Lightbourn said, “may think that this issue is going to go away by making some statement (that I did not think was substantiated).”
Three times the Speaker ordered Mr Lightbourn to take his seat as the two men remained standing.
Janice Hayles and George Hayles, former clients of Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson, each faced a charge of possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges at their arraignment days after their arrest in 2010.
While the Attorney General was “out of town”, and without offering a good explanation, Mr Fitzgerald signed a nolle prosequi and the case was discontinued on December 28.
