The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party(ABLP) now has to temporarily halt its disciplinary proceedings against Parliament for St. Peter, Asot Michael, since the High Court granted an injunction as requested by the MP.
The party has sought to convene a tribunal to decide what penalty the elected member of parliament should receive as a result infractions or unacceptable behavior which violates many of the party’s rules outlined in their Code of Ethics and Conduct.
For example, speaker of the House Sir Gerald Watt removed Michael from the House of Representatives on September 25 after the MP made abusive statements towards him at the previous sitting, which occurred on September 24.
Michael’s attempts to issue an apology fell on deaf ears as the speaker ordered him out until the parliamentary privilege committee decides his fate.
But the MP, represented by Attorney Hugh Marshall Jr., recently filed a claim in the High Court – with the respondents being head of the Tribunal, Lionel ‘Max’ Hurst and ABLP General Secretary, Senator Mary Clare Hurst-arguing that the tribunal has no authority to discipline him since the party has not held a convention in over two years.
He was successful in receiving an injunction.
