Deputy Speaker Norbert says he allows the standing orders to guide his actions. The Standing Orders say it is the Speaker’s discretion who speaks. Section 32 of the Standing Orders says:

“32 (1), A member desiring to speak shall rise in his place and if called upon shall address his observations to the Speaker or Chairman. No member shall speak if called upon by the Speaker or Chairman. No Member shall speak unless called upon by the Speaker or Chairman, and; 32(2) if two or more Members rise at the same time, the Speaker or Chairman shall call upon the Member who first catches his eye.”

Norbert provides his account of events, clarifying that he looked around to see if any member’s mic was on.

“When the Prime Minister concluded the introduction of the motion, I looked around the entire Chamber and noticed that no one had turned on their mics, so I looked around a second time and noticed that no one was even attempting to turn on their mics again. I then noticed that the Prime Minister had his mic on, so I called upon him,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker says it was only after he called upon the Prime Minister that Allen Chastanet turned his light on.

“Thereafter, I noticed the Leader of the Opposition turned on his mic and immediately stood and started speaking. I intervened and asked the Leader of the Opposition to take his seat and then the blatant disrespect and disregard for the Chair started.”

On the other hand, Chastanet has a different perspective on what transpired at the House, disputing that his mic was on the entire time. He says his light was on before that of the Prime Minister, whom the Speaker allowed to speak instead.

“I then pressed my button, my light, and the Prime Minister also pressed his light. And the Speaker of the House chose to recognise the Prime Minister and not to give anyone else an opportunity to rebut,” Chastanet said in a social media video on Wednesday, February 14th, 2024. He continues, “I stood my ground. I made it clear that I was not going to leave until I was given an opportunity to speak.”

Chastanet, however, says he “had no choice but to leave because my voice was going to be denied defending the people of this country.”

This is not the first time the Opposition Leader has chosen to exit the Chamber of Parliament, leaving only one opposition member to debate.