SPEAKER OF the House of Representatives, Michael Peart, yesterday gave his colleagues a sharp tongue-lashing for what he said was their association with "hooligan elements" in the society.
Addressing the first working sitting since the new Parliament was sworn-in November 14, the Speaker referred to the clash between supporters of the People's National Party and the Jamaica Labour Party outside the Gordon House chamber.
Mr. Peart said the incident showed up the unacceptable behaviour of some political followers.
"I would like to say to all Members of this honourable House that it is not enough to display the dignity and decorum expected while in the House, but at the same time associating with the likes of those who created the disturbance outside," the Speaker said in a statement at the start of yesterday's sitting.
He said the link between MPs and hooligans created grave problems, including the breakdown of law and order in the society. He urged his colleagues to distance themselves from such persons as a means of demonstrating their commitment to good Government.
"The consensus in the wider public is that we are all linked to these unsavoury elements and, whether we like it or not, there is the direct connection between the hooligans that behaved so atrociously outside of Parliament and the representatives inside this Honourable House," the Speaker said.
The clash between the supporters of the two main political parties followed the swearing-in ceremony for Senators and MPs on November 14.
Politicians and dignitaries trying to exit Parliament, had to retreat inside as the political supporters traded insults and missiles. Members of the security forces were blamed for allowing the supporters to slip past the barriers placed at the northern and southern sections of Duke Street and to converge on the main entrance of the building.
Yesterday, the Speaker said the incident demonstrated the inadequacy of the security arrangements at the nation's Parliament and said he expected that new measures would be put in place to prevent a repeat of the problem.
