Unwarranted Attack On Iwandai Gumbs

The Editor,
The Anguillian.

Dear Mr. Editor:

UNWARRANTED ATTACK ON IWANDAI GUMBS

I was appalled and incensed by the unwarranted attack on the person of radio personality Iwandai Gumbs by Opposition Member Hon. Hubert Hughes in the Anguilla House of Assembly on Tuesday, 21st February.

Mr. Editor, it is a very unpleasant experience for a defenseless member of the public to bear the brunt of a scathing attack by a politician hiding behind the assumed sanctity and protection of parliament and for that person to be unable to reply.

Of course, Iwandai can defend himself on Heart Beat Radio, where he is a popular figure, and perhaps he may be persuaded to do so since he cannot go to the House of Assembly to respond to Mr. Hughes; yet still, he may stately choose to ignore the babblings.

The remarks by Mr. Hughes were unfortunate and I dare say scurrilous and I think he owes Mr. Gumbs, a member of the media, a public apology. The fact that Mr. Hughes is a member of the House of Assembly does not give him the right and the free speech to attack persons in the public domain or even within the Atlin Harrigan OBE Parliamentary Building.

The Speaker should have shut him up there and then, rather than allow him to proceed with his abuse. Democracy must not be compromised, but it does not give anyone licence to defame another person.

FAIRPLAY