Presiding officers of parliaments across the Commonwealth Caribbean have voiced “grave concern” over the tumultuous events that erupted in Jamaica’s House of Representatives on November 3, warning legislators that their conduct carries implications far beyond the walls of the chamber.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the presiding officers of parliaments in 11 Caribbean territories stressed that Jamaica’s parliamentary proceedings are watched not only by legislatures throughout the Commonwealth, but also by the wider international parliamentary community, placing a responsibility on all members to uphold the dignity and integrity of the institution.

While making it clear that they were not seeking to apportion individual blame or prejudge any matter arising from the incident, the presiding officers issued an unequivocal reminder that no protest, however deeply felt, can excuse the deliberate disruption of parliamentary business; defiance of the authority of the chair; or any conduct that obstructs, intimidates, or threatens a presiding officer.

The November 3 sitting of the House descended into disorder when the Opposition objected to the way Leader of Government Business Floyd Green moved to close a debate on a censure motion against the Government moved by St Andrew Western Member of Parliament (MP) Anthony Hylton over Jamaica’s decision to abstain from a United Nations resolution calling for an end to the United States’ embargo against Cuba.

The Opposition also objected to the manner in which House Speaker Juliet Holness had managed the proceedings.

After the House adjourned, a few MPs were in the aisle and a heated exchange erupted between Opposition MP Mikael Phillips and Government legislator Desmond McKenzie as the Speaker was leaving the Chamber.

Phillips had directed strong criticism at the Speaker, prompting McKenzie to intervene and urge him to remain respectful. The exchange soon escalated into a verbal confrontation, drawing the attention of several parliamentarians.

In the aftermath of the fracas, McKenzie alleged that he told Phillips that he would not like it if anyone spoke to his mother in the manner in which he had spoken to Holness. He also said that in response Phillips made a derogatory comment about him and his mother.

The following day Phillips apologised for his use of an expletive during the confrontation and accused McKenzie of making an offensive remark about his deceased mother.

The Speaker also said that while she was leaving the Chamber she was pushed by Opposition MP Angela Brown Burke who also called her a coward. Brown Burke has admitted to making the comment, but denied pushing Holness.

Since then, both sides have been trading blame and the matter has drawn widespread attention.

In their statement on Saturday, the Caribbean parliamentary presiding officers extended solidarity and support to Speaker Holness as well as all members of the Jamaican Parliament and parliamentary officers affected.

“Disagreement and dissent are fundamental to parliamentary democracy, but must be exercised in accordance with the Standing Orders and established parliamentary procedures. No protest, however strongly felt, can justify deliberate disruption of parliamentary proceedings, defiance of the authority of the chair, or conduct that obstructs, intimidates or threatens a presiding officer. Such behaviour is unacceptable and undermines the dignity and orderly functioning of Parliament,” said the group comprising House speakers and Senate presidents from Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Guyana, Montserrat, St Christopher and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

The group said they were “particularly troubled by reports of obstruction or confrontation involving the Speaker while entering or leaving the Chamber” and emphasised that the “safety and dignity of presiding officers must be respected, and their authority upheld as an essential safeguard of the rights of all members, irrespective of political affiliation”.

Reminding MPs to remain mindful of the wider implications of their conduct, the group said, “Jamaica has a proud parliamentary tradition, and its members bear a responsibility to ensure that their conduct reflects credit upon their Parliament and does not diminish the standing of parliamentary democracy across the Caribbean. Conduct that erodes respect for parliamentary institutions threatens public confidence in democracy itself.”

Added the presiding officers: “While we unequivocally condemn conduct of this nature, we do not seek to determine individual responsibility or prejudge any matter arising from these events. Any questions of accountability must be addressed through Jamaica’s established parliamentary processes, fairly and impartially, in accordance with the Constitution, the Standing Orders and applicable law.

“We reaffirm our solidarity with Speaker Holness, our respect for the Parliament and people of Jamaica, and our unwavering commitment to the dignity, independence and authority of parliamentary institutions throughout the Commonwealth Caribbean.”