He noted that in a statement in connection with the disruption of Parliament last Friday by its members, the PNC/R alleged that having failed in his duty, he sought to encourage the Police to act improperly.

In a press statement yesterday the Speaker asserted: "The PNC/R's conclusions about the law, my powers and the propriety of my actions are incorrect and misplaced.

"There is no law that limits the jurisdiction of the police in the Parliament Chamber or its precincts. This is being confused with the authority of the Speaker over conduct in the National Assembly while it is in session at which time the police are obliged to carry out the directions of the Speaker", he said.

He added that the PNC/R's statement refers to Standing Order 40 and relies on the authority that discipline lies in the hands of the Speaker to the exclusion of the police unless invited by the Speaker.

"A cursory glance at Standing Order 40 would indicate that it applies only when the National Assembly is in session," the Speaker explained.

He further stated that during a suspension the Speaker, not being in his chair, cannot exercise the authority over an unauthorised invasion of the Parliament Chamber.

"It is the duty of the police to do so as it is their duty to prevent the commission of a breach of the peace anywhere and at anytime," he emphasised.

The Speaker argued that the logic of the PNC/R's statement would mean that if during a suspension the Speaker is not available, a breach of the peace can be committed with impunity and the police would be powerless to stop it.

"This clearly makes no sense," he declared.

Mr. Ramkarran observed that during the invasion of the National Assembly by Mr. Jerome Khan and Mr. Abdul Kadir, the sitting had been suspended and therefore the police were obliged to protect the Chamber from invasion by unruly and disorderly persons.

"Their failure to do so elicited a justified comment from me," the Speaker charged.

He concluded: "The PNC/R expresses the nation's expectations that I would discharge my functions in an impartial and objective manner. I am sure that the nation also expects that I would do all that is necessary to protect the integrity of the National Assembly, the building and precincts from disruption and invasion."