KD Knight: I hope senators will put the nation before self and continue CCJ debate

All eight opposition senators have stayed away from today’s sitting of the Upper House where the debate on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was set to continue.

Opposition and government senators have been at odds since the suspension of opposition senator Marlene Malahoo Forte on Friday after she failed to produce a copy of a letter from which she read during her contribution to the debate.

On Monday, Leader of Opposition Business, Tom Tavares Finson, wrote to Senate President, Floyd Morris, informing that his colleagues would stay away from the debate until the suspension is lifted and an apology is made to Malahoo Forte.

This morning they followed through on their threat.

Opposition Senator Marlene Malahoo Forte - File Photo

However, the sitting still went ahead with Morris insisting there was no need to apologise to Malahoo Forte.

READ: CCJ debate threatened; No apology coming from me - Nicholson

However, leader of government business, Senator A.J. Nicholson, moved a motion for the suspension to be lifted to ensure the debate on the CCJ bills continues.

Senator K.D. Knight

Contributing to the debate, Senator K.D. Knight said he hoped senators would put the nation before self and continue the debate.

Senator Lambert Brown said an apology was owed by opposition senators to the staff of the Houses of Parliament for suggesting that a male orderly had been sent to the rest room to call Malahoo Forte.

The motion was passed by the senators, clearing the way for Malahoo Forte to retake her seat in the Upper House.