Plenary, 24 Feb 2005

Meeting date: Thursday, February 24, 2005

Official Report 804KB pdf

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Point of Order

On a point of order, Presiding Officer.

Yes, I will take it now, Mr Morrison.

Thank you, Presiding Officer.

During my speech this morning in the Green party debate on identity cards, a member of this Parliament, Michael Rumbles, accused me from a sedentary position of being a fascist simply because I was articulating and expounding my party's legitimate position on ID cards. Presiding Officer, do you agree that this use of intemperate and highly inappropriate language is reprehensible; is to be deplored and is worthy of censure and referral to the Standards Committee for its deliberations?

On a point of order, Presiding Officer.

I take it that this is further to the initial point of order, Mr Rumbles.

It is indeed, Presiding Officer.

If anyone heard the remark that I made to Mr Morrison, they will recall that I said that those comments were almost fascistic. If he wishes to interpret that in a different way, that is entirely up to him.

The charge is serious, and I have to say that neither I nor the clerks who were in the chair this morning actually heard such remarks being made. I am afraid that, in those circumstances, I cannot censure. However, I seriously remind members of their obligation—indeed, their duty—to use courteous and respectful language in the chamber at all times.

Further to the point of order, Presiding Officer. I will happily provide the names of people who actually heard the remark. Indeed, one of Mr Rumbles's party colleagues has confirmed to me that he used that intemperate phrase.

I can act only on what is in the Official Report and what was heard. We will look at the Official Report.

Can I—

I think that, in light of my comments about the obligation and duty to be respectful and courteous, it would be in the interests of Parliament to leave the matter at that point at this stage.