All 19 Opposition Members of Parliament stayed away from Friday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, in a show of defiance over Covid-19 concerns. 

It comes after Opposition Chief Whip Dr. David Lee wrote to House Speaker Brigid Anisette-George on Thursday, voicing the party’s concern about attending Parliament- referencing the Prime Minister’s recent Covid-19 diagnosis.

Lee noted that several government MPs interacted with the Prime Minister during the 14-day incubation period for the virus.

At the House sitting on Friday, Leader of Government Business, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh,  expressed dissatisfaction at the actions of those who were supposed to be on the opposite bench, calling it a disgrace.

“There are four Urgent Questions. We on this side are willing and we are here to do the people’s business- where is the Opposition to do the people’s business? This is a derilection of duty, a disgrace to the company and violates the Oath of Office of every Opposition member. This is disgraceful and ought to be condemned in the strongest sense,” a visibly upset Deyalsingh said. 

Debate on the Anti Gang Bill is due to take place during today’s sitting, after the proposed legislation was was passed in the Senate last month.

Only one Opposition MP- Dinesh Rambally for Chaguanas West- followed the proper Parliamentary procedure by formally writing to request leave of absence from the sitting. 

Deputy Speaker of the House Esmond Forde said he received only three such the other two being from Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley who remains in Covid-19 isolation in Tobago and House Speaker Brigid Annisette-George. 

In a post to her official Facebook page, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar announced that her party would hold a press conference at 2:30pm, headlining the announcement “UNC MPs BOYCOTT PARLIAMENT AS GOVERNMENT BREAKS THE LAW!!”

“It must be further noted that not only did the Prime Minister attend the Parliamentary sitting of March 26th where he interacted with those Members seated close to him, but he has been seen in public with his other colleagues such as with the Minister of Health at a press conference on March 27th, at a function with the Minister of Energy on March 24th as well as a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs on March 25th. All of these interactions fall within the 14 day incubation period of the COVID-19 virus,” Lee said in a statement.