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"content": "contempt had been committed. Martin was not permitted to resume his seat until he had issued a formal apology from the Bar of the House pursuant to a Motion passed in response to the incident. Therefore, as has been the case in other jurisdictions, any Member here who engages in such activity regarding the Mace, will attract severe sanctions as stipulated under our Standing Order No.107(1)(a), including suspension from the House for the remainder of the Session. For avoidance of doubt, our Sessions invariably correspond with a calendar year. Therefore, if a Member is suspended at the commencement of a Session, it, therefore, means that, that Member automatically would be in breach of Article 103 of our Constitution and, therefore, must proceed to relax with his electors. Hon. Members, you will also notice the Serjeant-at-Arms officers are always protective of the Mace. As such, any tussling, wrestling with or use of violence against any officer of the House while they are engaged in the performance of their duties of securing the Mace and attending to the Speaker and Members, will attract the punishment to be meted under the Standing Order No.111. Hon. Members, for the avoidance of doubt, I would want to encourage you to carefully study Standing Order No.11 because if you are ordered by whoever is presiding to leave the Chamber, you resist and the Serjeant-at-Arms touches you, the consequences are that you may be suspended for periods in excess of not just eight Sittings, but 28 days. We intend to enforce these rules. In such a case, the concerned Member would be suspended from the service of the House for the remainder of the Session and forfeit the right of access to the precincts of Parliament and all other privileges that go with the service of a Member. With regard to the incident that occurred last week on Thursday, 11th December, 2014, during the Afternoon Sitting involving the Mace in the Assembly, the video clip of what happened that day is currently under review. Since the Presiding Officer did not take appropriate action at the time, this matter will now stand referred to the Committee on Privileges. However, Members should take note that from now on, any person who tries to remove or tamper with the Mace, will be dealt with immediately on the spot. I wish to unequivocally state that I will not hesitate to suspend any Member from this House for the remainder of the Session and into the next Session. From the foregoing and noting that today is a Special Sitting, with the House having adjourned until Tuesday, 10th February, 2015, you are cautioned that any Member suspended during this Special Sitting will automatically relinquish all privileges, immunities, access to parliamentary precincts, attendance of Committee Sittings and any allowances payable, including mileage, during the recess period. Hon. Members, this August House has an obligation to espouse decorum, behaviour and deportment which bespeak of us, as honourable persons, and we owe this to those we represent and the society at large. We do not have a choice! I also wish to remind you that your Presiding Officers are your leaders; the face of your Assembly, who carry your image and dignity. I encourage you to respect them and to honour their decisions. Just like in any other House, this Assembly is comprised of political parties, which represent divergent party views and positions on variety of matters. Once in a while, these issues are likely to be emotive during debate on the Floor of the House. My The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}