Opposition Senator Jearlean John will not have to face a Parliamentary Privileges Committee, after she delivered a formal apology in the Senate on Tuesday, for publicly criticizing Independent Senator Dr. Maria Dillon-Remy’s support of government’s Procurement Bill.

“Madame President, there were very strong public statements and severe criticism of the bill” John said in her opening, as she continued: “I along with my Opposition colleagues joined this heightened public concern about the bill. It is in this context and immediately following the debate that I made some remarks. I advise that at no time did I mean any harm or ill-will or disrespect to any Independent Senator and by extension the Senate,” John said. 

The Procurement Bill was passed in the Senate one week ago, with Dr. Dillon-Remy’s vote tipping the scale in favor of the government.

“In this regard I humbly apologize to Senator Dr Maria Dillon-Remy, to you, Madame President, and to the Senate for the criticism raised. I thank you,” Senator John ended. 

In a subsequent newspaper article, John condemned the Independent Senator’s action, saying in part: “”We can’t be complaining about something and when there is the opportunity to do something about it and when you have the power do something, when the moment calls, you cannot then not do something…”

The motion of contempt was brought by fellow Independent Senator, Paul Richards.

Senator John’s apology was accepted by President of the Senate, Christine Kangaloo.

See the Senate President’s response to the matter below: