MPs cautioned about breaches of Standing Orders, accusing Speaker of bias

Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Manzoor Nadir, has cautioned Members of Parliament about breaches of the Standing Orders of Parliament during sittings, as well as public accusations of bias on his part.  

The matter was addressed at the beginning of the sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday.

“Honourable Members, in the space of one week, between the last sitting and this one, I have experienced so many breaches of the Standing Orders, Parliamentary conventions and custom and practices that these demand that I again highlight them, caution members and take action to enforce standing orders,” Speaker Nadir said.

The Speaker also noted a recent incident of the publishing of in camera proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee.

“Arriving on my WhatsApp account, was a recording of a part of the in-camera proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting of Monday Feb 1 (2021). It could happen only a few ways – among which is that someone, who was present at that meeting, made that recording.  I would not speculate on the others.”

The Speaker reminded members that Standing Order 95 (9) (a) stipulates that meetings of committees shall be held in private. While there are exceptions, he said, Standing Order 95 (9) (b) states that Sectoral Committees and the Public Accounts Committees may sit in public, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

On this particular matter, the Speaker said in determining which proceedings should be held in private, the Committee shall strive to reach a decision by consensus, failing which the provisions of Standing Order No. 48 [Decision of Questions] shall apply.

Further, he said the Public Accounts Committee has a custom and convention, that the public is invited when the Auditor General’s Report is being considered.   

The Speaker also referenced a similar incident which took place during the 101st sitting of the Eleventh Parliament held on December 3, 2018, when then Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland, noticed that one Member had a device which appeared to be recording the statement or recording events in the Chamber and subsequently cautioned that that was against the practice of the House.

Therefore, Speaker Nadir said, “I caution and implore Honourable Members to respect and uphold the Standing Orders and not to bring the National Assembly into disrepute.”

With regard to criticisms of the Speaker’s decisions, claims of bias and impugning the integrity of the Speaker, Speaker Nadir said this would have consequences.

“It seems that after the Sixteen Sitting of the National Assembly, it was open season on the Standing Orders and the Speaker. At the second sitting of this Assembly, I had cause to raise issue of criticising the Speaker’s decisions and accusing the Speaker of bias.”

Referencing the Canadian House of Commons Procedure and Practise, 2nd Edition, which Dr. Scotland used on a previous occasion, Speaker Nadir noted that one of the best known rules of Parliamentary procedure, which should be familiar to Parliamentarians worldwide, is that the conduct of the Speaker cannot be criticised except by way of a substantive motion.

He warned that reflections of the character or actions of the Speaker, for example, an allegation of bias, could be taken by the House as breaches of privilege and can be punished accordingly. He said any future occurrence or recurrence of breaches of the Standing Orders will be referred to the Committee of Privileges.