Achong to apologise for abusive statements

According to sources Speaker Barry Sinanan brokered an agreement between UNC MP Manohar Ramsaran and Achong.

That agreement involved Achong making a public apology to the UNC Mps, who were the subject of his verbal attack.

Sources said the arrangement was meant to forestall Achong being referred to the Privileges Committee of Parliament, which carries with it the risk of incurring penalties such as suspension or expulsion from the Parliament.

According to sources Achong’s apology is expected to include a commitment that there will be no recurrence of such unparliamentary behaviour in the future.

Achong attacked UNC Mps in the tearoom last week after he became incensed about statements made by Opposition Chief Whip Ganga Singh. Singh had named certain PNM officials in a conspiracy to plant cocaine in Sadiq Baksh’s water tank. During that attack Achong made threats to the person of Ramsaran and predicted that the PNM Government would lock up every single UNC MP.