VIDEO: Pringle, Opposition Senators leave joint sitting of parliament

Opposition members staged a walkout from Tuesday’s joint sitting of Parliament after Senate President Alincia Williams-Grant ruled that Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle could not participate because he had not taken the required oath of allegiance.

The dramatic exchange unfolded moments after the sitting began, forcing a delayed start as Williams-Grant addressed members of both Houses and guests gathered for the ceremony.

Williams-Grant told the chamber the issue had been brought to her attention while she was in chamber and said she had attempted to notify Pringle beforehand so the matter could be resolved privately.

However, she said Pringle still attended the sitting, leaving her with no choice but to make a formal ruling publicly.

“I’m asking the honourable gentleman to remove himself from this proceedings this morning in this House,” Williams-Grant declared.

Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin immediately backed the ruling, arguing that the Constitution clearly states members must take the oath of allegiance before participating in parliamentary proceedings.

Benjamin said members who had not fulfilled the constitutional requirement could not lawfully take part in the sitting until the oath was administered.

Pringle later rose in response, stating that he understood the constitutional provisions but suggested the issue should have been addressed beforehand rather than publicly during the sitting.

The confrontation prompted opposition members to walk out of the chamber in protest, bringing heightened political tension to the joint sitting.

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