House Speaker: “This Speaker Will Not Allow People to Be Dragged Through the Mud”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – House Speaker Patricia Deveaux sent a clear message during today’s budget debate, making it known that she would not tolerate what she viewed as character assassination in Parliament.

Patricia Deveaux – Speaker of House of Assembly

“ I will not allow these halls to be used for what is wrong. We’re gonna use these halls for what is right…and trying to drag people through the mud is not what we’re here for, and it doesn’t look good.”

The speaker’s fiery comments came as she moved to expunge remarks made during the course of parliamentary debate that referenced former members of Parliament and other individuals no longer serving in public office.

Deveaux arguing that those individuals were not present to defend themselves, and should not be subjected to public attacks in the chamber.

Patricia Deveaux – Speaker of House of Assembly

“ These people have paid their dues to this country, and they are now in private life. I’d like their names to remain just [like] that, private. They are not in this place to defend themselves, nor their names, nor their integrity. I am here, and I am going to protect them from embarrassment and from shame.”

The exchange then became personal, with the House Speaker accusing Opposition Leader Michael Pintard of maligning her character through a recent social media posts, with accusations of a drug deal in Parliament.

Pintard pushed back, denying the claims.

Our News contacted Opposition Leader Micheal Pintard about the posts in question, and he said he was unaware of the specific post in question, denying what Deveaux was referring to.

He adds that he asked the speaker for the specifics, and awaits her response.