Opposition Leader removed from national assembly building

Opposition Leader Moses Barrow was today kicked out of the National Assembly Building in Belmopan. It was a dramatic scene that unfolded as the Sitting of the House of Representatives was happening. Barrow rose while Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa was speaking on the Legal Aid Bill, attempting to have his point of order heard. But House Speaker Valerie Woods told Barrow that standing to make a clarification is not a point of order. The back and forth continued, and when his mic was off, Barrow told the Speaker that she was acting like a PUP. This is what Woods says she heard. Barrow denied making the remarks. But the Speaker would not have it, and she asked the Sergeant of Arms to remove Barrow from the Chambers. Here is the back-and-forth:

Hon. Kareem Musa, Area Representative for Caribbean Shores: “I don’t understand. You clearly did not read the legislation I’m starting to think like what the member said that you use this forum to come grandstand.”

Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “Madam Speaker on a point of order the member is – clarification Madam Speaker that is a point of order. Seek clarity. The member is saying things that I did not say.”

Valerie Woods, House Speaker: Member please sit it’s not a point of order member. I’m happy to go through standing orders with you but that is not a point of order. Member. I am being polite. I am genuinely happy to sit with you to go through your standing orders. 

Hon. Kareem Musa, Area Representative for Caribbean Shores: “Madam SPeaker, anyways.”

Valerie Woods, House Speaker: “I’m sorry member I have to say this and I do apologize for not allowing you to continue exactly at this moment. Mr. Leader of Opposition the standing order of 38 (7) and 38 (8) I’ll direct you to (8) “the conduct of His Majesty and members of the royal family, Governor General, the Speaker” that shall not be entertained. So I will ask you to retract what you just said referring to me in this chair.” 

Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “What did I refer to you ?” 

Valerie Woods, House Speaker: “Oh we suddenly have lost the memory ? Where I will act like a PUP ? Did you not just say that ? I will ask you to retract it. Member yes you are questioning my conduct.”

Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “Madam Speaker I did not say speaker.”

Valerie Woods, House Speaker: “You directed to me. I ask you to retract. I will ask you to retract. Sergeant of Arms.”

Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “Second time you’re doing this to me. I did not say anything about Madam Speaker.” 

Valerie Woods, House Speaker: “Sergeant of Arms I will ask you to escort the Leader of Opposition for the remainder of the day.”

Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “So where is the -“

Valerie Woods, House Speaker: “Sergeant of Arms.”

Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “And now one statement that you can’t even verify -“

Valerie Woods, House Speaker: “I will ask -”

Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “- and so now you’re behaving like a PUP. I won’t act like that degenerate over there from Cayo South. -“

Valerie Woods, House Speaker: “May I get a minister -”

Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “I will withdraw. I won’t be like a degenerate like these PUP –“

Valerie Woods, House Speaker: “May I get a minister to name if the member for Mesopotamia, Leader of Opposition does not excuse himself.”

Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “I am excusing myself what you want me to do run out  ? I won’t be like you though Mr. Degenerate. I know how to comport myself and abide by the rules.”

Valerie Woods, House Speaker: “Member for Caribbean Shores.”

Hon. Kareem Musa, Area Representative for Caribbean Shores: “Thank you Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker he’s a colleague of mine and I have to apologize on his behalf but I think everybody in the House heard exactly what he said and certainly he was breaching the standing orders in a very obvious way and so I don’t think that that was in any way an unreasonable request that you made.”

Barrow excited the building at four o’clock this evening.