Robert Hart, Assistant News Editor
Opposition Leader Bruce Golding in Tivoli Gardens yesterday.
OPPOSITION MEMBERS walked out of yesterday's sitting of the House of Representatives, angered by the refusal of the Speaker to allow them to air concerns about a police operation in Tivoli Gardens.
Speaking to journalists shortly after, Opposition Spokesman on National Security, Derrick Smith, yesterday questioned whether the shooting of two women near Opposition Leader Bruce Golding during the police operation could have been an assassination attempt.
After the late entry of the Opposition to the House sitting, Mr. Smith sought to discuss the raid.
But Deputy House Leader Derrick Kellier argued that the issue was being introduced at the wrong time.
With the House Speaker agreeing with Mr. Kellier, Mr. Smith subsequently moved that Parliament be adjourned to allow an "issue of national importance" to be debated.
SOLIDARITY
He cited Section 11(3) of the Standing Orders, as giving the Opposition the authority to move the motion. However, when the motion was denied, all 19 Opposition members present stood, essentially calling on the House Speaker to follow the rule that the House must adjourn in recognition of their solidarity.
However, House Speaker Michael Peart told Mr. Smith, amid the growing chatter of Government members, that he would not adjourn the sitting under the circumstances.
"I think it is with regret that the members of the Opposition will not at this time continue to stay in the House for any further proceedings," Mr. Smith said before Opposition members left the Chamber to jeers from the other side of the aisle.
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Mr. Smith said he wanted it made clear that the Opposition had no problem with the police hunting down suspected criminals in Tivoli Gardens, as long as it was done professionally.
He said the Opposition had several questions about the raid, including who organised it and what plans were put in place.
He suggested Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields would have broken his oath to end the police tactic of 'netfishing' by detaining several individuals when seeking a few, if he was involved.
Smith, the Leader of Opposition Business told journalists, afterwards that he had serious concerns about the manner in which the police operation was carried out.
"We have been giving the whole action very serious thought, because most of the persons who were there with Mr. Golding are of the view that the bullets were intended for the Leader of the Opposition," Mr. Smith said.
"We consider it very serious, we consider it frightening, we consider it unprecedented, that that direct attack could be made against ... a constitutional (office holder, such as the Leader of Opposition)."
