Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar has written to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, indicating that the Opposition Members of Parliament are not prepared to support the nomination of Mrs Bridgid Annisette-George as Speaker of the House of the Representatives of the Twelfth Republican Parliament.

In her letter, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar alleged that during the 11^th Parliamentary Session, Mrs Annisette-George “did not exemplify and/or act in accordance with the basic principle which underpins the functioning of a Speaker, that of impartiality.”

The Opposition Leader noted instances during the 11^th Parliament where the Speaker curtailed Members’ contributions, “forced” members to end their contributions prematurely, which she said affected the Opposition’s ability to effectively contribute to debates on legislation.

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar warned that if Mrs. Annisette-George fails to recuse herself and/or to step down and/or to withdraw as a nominee for Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Opposition reserves the right to raise her conduct on substantive motions before the House and to debate any continuing impartial actions.

If action is not taken in their favor, the Opposition is prepared to approach the courts.

“The Opposition also reserves the right to approach the courts to seek a declaration that the actions on Mrs. Annisette-George’s part, which are detailed in the letter, have deprived Members of the Opposition Benches of their rights to speak in the Parliament,”  a statement from the party read.