Warmington 'sick of' treatment in Parliament

South West St Catherine Member of Parliament Everald Warmington yesterday accused House Leader Andrew Holness of carrying out instructions aimed at muzzling him.

"I am sick of this!" Warmington said, as his anger meter skyrocketed in the House of Representatives.

"Every time I attempt to speak, they try to keep me quiet ... . You were just instructed to keep me quiet," Warmington charged, in direct reference to the House leader.

Holness was sitting beside Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

"You were instructed to shut me up. Don't try to do it," the feisty member said.

Warmington had risen to respond to a statement made on the JPS by Energy Minister Clive Mullings. But as soon as he had started speaking, Holness attempted to intervene, leading to Warmington's protest.

"Please do not try to muzzle me," Warmington said, adding, "Even though I sit on this side, I am not treated like one on this side."

He subsequently picked up his bag and, despite attempts by Government colleague Karl Samuda to hold him back, stormed from the Chamber. He later returned to the House, determined to "speak for the poor people of Jamaica".

Warmington, his voice cracking, said: "I am very upset. I am very disappointed that I am not allowed to speak on this side of the House. The prime minister himself allowed a latitude to members of the Opposition to speak, but each time I rise to speak on this side of the House, my own side try to prevent me from speaking."

He added: "I am sick of this now. I am sick of this now. I have a right to speak."

Warmington also said that Holness was allowing himself to be misled and dictated to, "instead of reading the Standing Orders".

The House leader said, however, that he was using the Standing Orders to guide the proceedings of the House.