29th October 2019
House Speaker Summoned To Court Over Non-Appointment Of Deputy
By St Lucia Times
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The Speaker of the Saint Lucia House of Assembly, Andy Daniel, has been summoned to appear before the court in an action filed by Constitutional Lawyer, Martinus Francois, relating to the non-appointment of a Deputy Speaker.
Daniel, himself an Attorney at Law, confirmed Tuesday that he is to appear in court on Thursday, October 31, 2019.
“I can confirm now that I was personally served by Mr. Martinus Francois on Sunday at my residence. It means now that I am obligated to be in court and that the matter can proceed thereafter,” the House Speaker told reporters.
Daniel explained that Martinus Francois is contending that parliament should have, by now, appointed a Deputy Speaker.
“Being the speaker, his action is against me because I am the head of our lower house,” he stated.
Daniel disclosed that he was served by Francois himself on Sunday and will be represented by counsel.
“It’s all in the hands of counsel. Not because I am a lawyer – I must also take advice,” Daniel told reporters.
On the matter of the house functioning without a Deputy Speaker, he said he is aware of what the Standing Orders and the constitution say.
“Personally there are situations where you would require that the Deputy speaker be in place. If there is no deputy speaker as it is now, I don’t believe that the business of the house and the business of the people ought to be suspended until such time that the house believes there is need to appoint a deputy,” Daniel asserted.
“That is my position. I am not saying that our laws – our standing orders do not make provision for,” he explained.
“I am not going to suspend the business of the house until such time that the house believes it needs to appoint a deputy speaker. However, if the court says otherwise, I have no other choice,” Daniel explained.
The non-appointment of a Deputy Speaker of the House has been the source of much controversy ever since the position became vacant in 2016.
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