The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net HOUSE Speaker Alvin Smith yesterday demanded an apology from Frank Smith, MP for St Thomas More, for his "disorderly behaviour" in the House of Assembly last week. The Speaker told Mr Smith he could not make a contribution on the Freedom of Information Bill without first apologising to the chamber for his previous actions. However, Mr Smith told the Speaker he did not "intend anything ill toward the House or the hallowed chamber," He refused to apologise. He then tried to continue with his contribution but was interrupted by the Speaker once again who told him he "must apologise to the House and the Parliament. Mr Smith said: "I stated my intention, but I will apologise because I was instructed to apologise, but I do not feel like I did anything wrong." The Speaker did not accept the apology and told the MP that it had to be "unequivocal." To that, Mr Smith said: "I apologise, now I shall move on." The Speaker was referring to an incident in the House last week when Mr Smith was accused of "assaulting" a fellow parliamentarian and "taking democracy to an all time low." The incident came when FNM Pineridge MP Kwasi Thompson attempted to read a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) minority report into the record, only to be set upon by Mr Smith, who attempted to shout over Mr Thompson and move his microphone. As Mr Thompson attempted to read the report, Fort Charlotte MP Alfred Sears and Mr Smith rose to their feet, Mr Sears repeating that he had a point of order to make and Mr Smith pushing away and covering Mr Thompson's microphone. Rising on a point of privilege, Mr Smith denied assaulting Mr Thompson, claiming he never touched him. He said: "For the record, to my recollection I never touched him and if I did it was not my intention." But Mr Thompson claims he was touched on two occasions - first when he stood to speak and again when Mr Smith attempted to move and cover his microphone. Eventually regaining control of the House, the Speaker asked what authority Mr Smith had to move the microphone of another Member of Parliament. He said the House would move on and would not hear anything else on the matter.