Opposition Senators plan to boycott parliament

The row between the Government and Opposition over the suspension of  Marlene Malahoo Forte from the Senate is heating up. Jamaica Labour Party Leader, Andrew Holness, last night announced that Opposition senators will boycott the Upper House if  the suspension of  Mrs. Malahoo Forte is not lifted.

He said the decision was made, following consultations with JLP Senators. He said the Government must apologise to the Senator and immediately withdraw the suspension. If not, he said, do not look for the Opposition senators in Parliament. 

Mr. Holness was addressing a Party meeting at Manning's High School in Westmoreland.

Mrs Malahoo Forte was suspended on Friday, after she failed to produce a letter, despite the repeated request of  Senate President Floyd Morris. The letter reportedly indicates the Privy Council's willingness to travel to Jamaica to hear cases.

At last night's JLP meeting Mrs. Malahoo Forte said she had the letter but was not given the opportunity to present it to the Senate President.

In the meantime, Opposition Spokesman on Justice Delroy Chuck who confirmed that he was aware the letter exists, told RJR News it was written in 2010.

Opposition Senators are to meet this morning to further discuss the decision by the Senate President to suspend Mrs Malahoo-Forte. Leader of  Opposition Business in the Senate, Tom Tavares-Finson, reiterated that the decision was wrong. He also contended that Mrs Malahoo Forte was not given an opportunity to explain herself.

In sharp contrast to the position taken by the Opposition, female Government senators have condemned what they describe as the unwarranted attacks by the Opposition on the character of  Leader of  Government Business, Senator AJ Nicholson.  

In a statement last night, the senators said all members of  the Upper House are required to comply with the Standing Orders of  the Senate. They said being female is no excuse to violate the decorum and good order of  the Senate. They added that the insertion of  the "gender card" is a deliberate attempt to muddy the water and deflect attention from Senator Malahoo-Forte’s "disrespect" for the Senate President.