Senator Greene’s apology saves him suspension from Parliament

St. John’s Antigua: Senate watchers yesterday witnessed what started out as a repeat of January 2011 when Opposition Member Paul “Chet” Greene was suspended for comments he made outside the Upper House, according to a report in the Antigua Observer.

Senators feeling he had again been offensive consented to a motion aimed at making him an example of what not to do as a member of Parliament.

The motion was moved by Government Senator, Joanne Massiah, who repeated several comments Greene made about Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer.

The Observer said that the statements were part of a monologue on his radio programme about the controversial Chinese-funded power plant.

Massiah said she was appalled and disgusted by the statements Greene used to describe the country’s leader, and she read the motion giving Greene the option of apologising to avoid suspension.

When Greene was barred last year, he threatened legal action and refused to say he was sorry. The issue became a point of contention between government and opposition, the Observer stated.

Yesterday, though, he chose to “unreservedly” apologise.

“Interestingly, no fewer than two members of the Gray’s Farm community… Minority Leader, here, Senator Gail Christian and James Tanny Rose spoke to me on the matter and I proffered apologies to them then and to the wider Grays Farm community, who apparently were affected and offended by the comment, and it’s in that vein that I have absolutely no difficulty in proffering apologies to the mover, and to the Honourable Senate, and to the Honourable Prime Minister for comments made on February 6^th,” Greene said, after beginning his statement by paraphrasing Luke 12:48 in the Holy Bible, which cautions that much responsibility accompanies much blessing.

The Observer reported that his apology was accepted and Senate President, Hazelyn Francis, prevented further comment on the issue from the floor. She, however, had words of caution for the senator.

“The last time a motion was brought against you, you started the same way: To whom much is given, much is expected, so I know that that is an adage you know by heart, and I expect you not to have to come in this Honourable House to be reminded of it yourself. I think better of you,” the president said.