Grange blasts Opposition conduct, calls for respect in Parliament

VETERAN legislator Olivia “Babsy” Grange on Sunday fired the latest salvo in the bitter verbal joust between the Government and Opposition over last week’s bust-up in the Parliament, saying she is disturbed by the “unacceptable” conduct of some Opposition members and urged a return to respectful behaviour in the House.

“How can a serious Opposition defend the derogatory remark, expletive, and insult hurled by Member of Parliament (MP) Mikael Phillips at MP Desmond McKenzie as Mr Phillips pushed members out of the way, advanced towards Mr McKenzie, and had to be restrained by other Members who wisely considered that a physical altercation would have even more severely damaged the standing of the House in the opinion of the public?” Grange said in a statement.

“Who could have ever imagined seeing the shocking physical assault on Speaker Juliet Holness and the blocking of the aisle as she exited the chamber by MP Angela Brown Burke who also screamed at the Speaker and called her a coward? I saw this transpire and remain disturbed. This conduct by member Brown Burke is unacceptable and should be appropriately addressed. As chairman of her political party, Dr Brown Burke ought to set a better example,” Grange added.