PLP MPs, Englerston constituents protest in Parliament Square

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Scores of Englerston constituents and PLP supporters flooded the Parliament Square area to stand in solidarity Wednesday with their MP, Glenys Hanna Martin, who was named and suspended from the House of Assembly last week.

But, just moments after police officers denied Hanna Martin entrance to the lower chamber, Speaker of the House, Halson Moultrie, suspended the three remaining opposition members.  The group suspension happened after Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, Leader of the Opposition attempted to gain clarity on the speakers reasoning for Hanna Martin’s suspension.

“This is a dark day for democracy,” said Davis as supporters gathered around for an impromptu press conference by the Official Opposition. “Democracy is now being sacrificed on the alter.”

PLP supporters standing outside booed the Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon Hubert Minnis, as he walked out of his car into the House of Assembly.

Hanna Martin’s suspension followed a series of events after she stood to defend two airport officials who were fired in what she said was done under a political ploy. Her remarks would later be stricken from the record by the House. Those remarks lead to a fiery argument between the MP and the Speaker where she was asked to resume her seat. However, after defying the speakers request, Hanna Martin was named and suspended with no length of time noted for the suspension to be concluded.

But in regard to last weeks proceedings over the suspension of his colleague Davis said, “The speaker acted contrary to the rules.”

Other PLP MPs suspended include the MP for Ragged Island, Chester Cooper, and the MP for Mangrove Cay and South Andros, Picewell Forbes.