Golding blocked from moving no-confidence motion against Holness

An attempt to move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Andrew Holness was shut down in Gordon House on Tuesday afternoon by deputy speaker of the House of Representatives Heroy Clarke.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding, who sought to move the no-confidence motion against the prime minister, was not allowed to address the issue as the motion was ruled "out of order" and said to be in breach of the sub judice rule, as the matter is under judicial consideration.

Prime Minister Holness filed documents in court on Monday seeking judicial review in relation to an investigation report by the Integrity Commission into his statutory declarations.

Golding told The Gleaner that the issue he was raising was a breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct by the prime minister in failing to disclose that he was being investigated for illicit enrichment by the Integrity Commission.

“That has nothing to do with the content of the report or any of the allegations made against him in the report, so I don't think that it was a matter that was affected by any legal proceedings that may or may not be pending,” he said.

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The Gleaner has been reliably informed that up to late this afternoon the Integrity Commission was not served with court documents relating to the judicial review.

Clarke quoted from the Standing Orders – the rules of Parliament – arguing that Golding's motion was 'out of order' and runs counter to provisions in Erskine May: Parliamentary Practice – the so called bible of parliamentary practice – which indicates that matters before the court for consideration should not be debated under the sub judice rule.

Member of Parliament for Clarendon South East Pearnel Charles Jr rose on a point of order and challenged the attempt by Golding to introduce the motion.

“If it is that the member intends to travel down a road that is going to breach the Standing Orders in raising matters that are sub judice that cannot be accommodated in this House,” he charged.