UPDATE: In parliament. Session started with a strange motion by the speaker whether to allow the pm to speak in the House following his request letter on grounds of Principles of Natural Justice. That debate is on. In lay mans terms, Principles of Natural Justice is an ancient legal principle that holds that an accused person ought to be afforded the opportunity to defend against his charges. My own view which I raised on the floor is that the pm can not address the house because the PNJ applies in a court of law and not parliament because the pm is not an accused person facing the law. Parliament has its own set of rules called by-laws which govern procedural matters. In this case, when the pm lost the confidence of the Prez, he had two options: Either to resign or submit a motion in parliament requesting a vote of confidence. He was particularly advised by the speaker to ask for a confidence. If he followed that route, he would have had a right to present his case before parliament. He rejected that advise. Now parliamentarians have initiated the current motion which is a motion of non-confidence and it is only parliament that can debate this matter. By failing to ask a motion of confidence, the pm has forfeited his right to present his case. Of course his supporters in parliament can speak on his behalf. PS: It appears that the speaker is going to put this matter for a vote. Thank you (Hon Abdi Hosh)
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 08:55:49 +0000