Lead Editor-Politics
Two days after a controversy erupted, the People’s National Movement (PNM) moved against one of its own, removing Senator Janelle John-Bates from the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC).
But the party remains silent on whether she will retain her seat in the Senate, amid allegations she improperly assisted former health minister Terrence Deyalsingh by editing his witness statement ahead of his appearance before the committee.
Guardian Media understands that a letter was sent to the Parliament yesterday morning from the leader of the PNM’s Senate bench, Dr Amery Browne, informing that the party will be removing John-Bates from the committee.
The party has not yet announced who will replace her on the PAAC.
Simultaneously, there was an emergency meeting of the PAAC that John-Bates did not attend. While that meeting was done privately, Guardian Media was reliably informed that John-Bates sent a letter to the PAAC questioning what specific standing orders she breached.
Allegations of improper conduct surfaced after former health minister Deyalsingh inadvertently submitted a Word document containing visible “Track Changes” edits and comments.
A copy obtained by Guardian Media shows both Opposition Senators Janelle John-Bates and Faris Al-Rawi listed as having made revisions. While Al-Rawi is not on the PAAC, questions are being asked about if his involvement can also be seen as improper conduct.
But the matter may not be over, despite John-Bates’ removal from the PAAC.
Guardian Media was also told that there may be moves to refer her and possibly Al-Rawi to the Committee of Privileges.
The Privileges Committee can recommend sanctions ranging from a formal reprimand or apology to suspension from the service of the House for a specified period or, in extreme cases, expulsion.
If the PNM decides to remove her from the Upper House, then it will have to inform the President.
Efforts to obtain a response from Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles since Tuesday have been unsuccessful, even as Guardian Media understands that internally, party members concede there is little defence available on her behalf.
Meanwhile, political scientist Dr Bishnu Ragoonath told Guardian Media he does not believe John-Bates did anything “unusual,” but said the issue is that she was ultimately caught.
“It’s just that Terrence Deyalsingh was foolish enough to submit the Word document with the track changes on it. But is there any suggestion or any evidence to suggest that this has not been happening in the past? I don’t think so.”
However, Ragoonath said the politically ethical thing for the PNM to do is to also remove John-Bates from the Upper House.
“I think from an ethical point of view, the PNM should take a principled stance to say, we will remove her from the Senate knowing full well what she would have done.”
He added, “The PNM has 200,000 other members, I am sure they could find somebody competent and qualified to fill that position.”
But former Senate President Timothy Hamel-Smith is questioning which Standing Orders John-Bates breached.
While he admitted that this was an “embarrassing” situation for the PNM, he told Guardian Media, “I don’t recall, if in fact there was some provision that says if you get help from somebody else or get them to write your paper for you, you’ve committed a grievous action, I don’t think that is in writing anywhere if you look up the Standing Orders.”
However, he added, “On the other hand, on general principles, it could be that this is a breach of privilege. I would think that if the PNM saw that coming down, they’d really want to shut down this embarrassment as soon as possible.”
Questions of ulterior motives
Council member of the Pharmacy Board Ricardo Mohammed has expressed frustration over this development.
The PAAC is investigating how pharmaceuticals are supplied and imported into the country. The Board said it was eager to ventilate issues of “unfair trade practices.”
Upon discovery of John-Bates’ involvement in Deyalsingh’s witness statement on Monday, the sitting of the PAAC was postponed to April 27.
Mohammed said, “It is rather disappointing to see now that we had to postpone one of these meetings because a senator decides to assist a key witness in altering their statements. Now, why are we trying to purport the cause of justice?”
Mohammed added, “When we are trying to interfere with these processes, we have to ask our question, what are they trying to hide or prevent from coming out from this? We are hoping that justice is served across the board.”
Several attempts to get a comment from Deyalsingh and John-Bates by phone and text messages were unsuccessful.
