This is not a kangaroo court - Carrington

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

House Speaker Michael Carrington said Tuesday he would not be rushed to institute a gun policy for Parliament on the "whims and fancy of one or two members" as opposition lawmakers boycotted the sitting to press their case for the implementation of such a measure.

"This Honourable Chamber is not a kangaroo court or parliament. It is guided by the Standing Orders, buttressed by the ancient rules and presets established centuries ago, tried and tested over the years and adapted as necessary in the appropriate way to deal with a changing world," Carrington said.

The opposition benches were empty for the first sitting since the Easter recess, making good on a promise to stay away from Parliament over a reported incident involving Economic Affairs Minister Dr David Estwick during debate on the Estimates of Expenditure last month.