The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Sir:

LET IT BE A TEST CASE

I had intended to write you this letter when I got back in Atlanta from St. Thomas; but a visit to friends in St. Maarten, where I heard the embarrassing broadcast of the Anguilla House of Assembly swearing-in ceremony, has made me write sooner and on a different subject.

I was appalled and ashamed as I listened to the abusive diatribe which came from Mr. Hubert Hughes all because Mr. David Carty was nominated as Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Mr. Carty was nominated by Chief Minister Mr. Osbourne Fleming whom I understand is also the Leader of Government Business in the Assembly. I was disappointed that, being in the latter position, he did not get up and force Mr. Hughes (who is no longer the Leader of the Opposition) to shut up and sit down after putting forward his nomination as he (Mr. Fleming) did. That Mr. Hughes should have been allowed to commandeer and hijack the House and to hold hostage so many people at the ceremony with his wide-ranging abuse, was ridiculous.

A lot of people have this whole question of democracy very wrong. It does not give anyone the freedom to speak and trample others as that person pleases. This long observed thing called parliamentary privilege is often taken advantage of and there needs to be some rule to curb a parliamentarian from decrying and defaming persons inside and outside parliament – particularly those defenseless persons on the outside.

I saw the letter in The Anguillian asking whether Mr. Carty can take legal action against Mr. Hughes for defamation. I am not a lawyer and I am not crying for anyone’s blood, but frankly I do not see why not. The fact remains that the House of Assembly was not constituted when Mr. Hughes was speaking. The Speaker and none of its members had been sworn in at the time. Let it be a test case.

I do not want to resurrect hostilities, but I recall an incident where Mr. Eric Reid, then a member of the Assembly, was so provoked and offended by a slanderous remark by Mr. Hughes that he gave him a lightening blow sending him to the floor. It is my understanding that notwithstanding the fact that the incident took place in the House of Assembly, the matter was taken to court and was dealt with there.
The fierce attack on Mr. Carty was defaming to my mind and almost tantamount to physical blows. I think he has a just cause to defend himself.

I have never heard such deplorable conduct during any parliamentary procedure anywhere. The people had a right to try to shout him down for after all it is their parliament but instead of listening to them, he began to abuse them. I heard Mr. Hughes promising that there would be trouble in the House. It is my fervent hope that he and all other members would respect whatever rules are in place. I have no doubt that the Speaker will be fair to all, but in doing so he must control the House. It is his domain.

Sylvia Richardson-Gumbs
St. Thomas, USVI.

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