Pubdate: Wed,  5 Feb 2003
Source: Jamaica Gleaner, The (Jamaica)
Copyright: 2003 The Gleaner Company Limited
Contact:  http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/493

LAWYERS' PROTEST DISTURBS HOUSE

A GROUP OF placard-bearing members of the Jamaican Bar Association
walked out of the House of Representatives yesterday after Speaker of
the House Michael Peart threatened them with eviction.

The group of about 40 lawyers, clad in black and white gowns, filed
out of the visitors gallery after Mr. Peart urged them to either
conform to the rules governing the sittings of the House or leave the
chamber.

"I notice what seem to be placards that I find to be inappropriate and
if they are not willing to comply by the rules of the House they will
be asked to leave," the Speaker said.

The lawyers, led by Bar Association President Hilary Phillips, Q.C.,
were holding tiny placards which read 'confidence betrayed'.

They stood while they were being addressed by Mr. Peart and promptly
turned around and walked out following his statement.

But, the Speaker's intervention did not go down well with Opposition
members, primarily Mike Henry (Central Clarendon) who demanded to know
what rules were being breached by the attorneys.

Mike Henry: "Mr. Speaker ... are we taking note of their protest with which 
I totally agree?"

Speaker: "I am taking no note of any protest."

Mr. Henry: "Well, I'm bringing it to your attention because I agree with 
their demonstration."

Speaker: "Well, perhaps you might join them, Mr. Henry."

Mr. Henry: "Well, are you asking me to join them. I'm happy to do so. Order 
me to do so. But until you order me to do so I'm afraid I must stand up for 
the rights of the citizens."

Leader of Opposition Business Derrick Smith and colleague MP Pearnel
Charles, sought to press the Speaker to disclose the basis on which he
ruled that the actions of the lawyers were inappropriate.

He responded that it was his interpretation that the actions of the
lawyers interfered with the proceedings and as such violated the rules
of the House.

The Bar Association had indicated its intention last Friday that it
would take its protest to the nation's Parliament. The association is
upset at the decision of the police last week to search the offices of
two prominent attorneys, Hugh Thompson and Ernest Smith, Jamaica
Labour Party MP for South West St. Ann. Documents were reportedly
removed from the lawyers' offices.

Last week, the police searched the offices of the two attorneys for
documents to assist the Canadian government which is seeking to
extradite Robert Bidwell, who is wanted on drug-related offences and
money laundering in that country.

Ms Phillips has expressed alarm that the police, in their search,
seized files, statements and documents concerning Bidwell and other
clients.
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