PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Oct 13 2015 – Opposition chief whip Dr Roodal Moonilal has apologised for telling a government MP to shut his “stink mouth”, while Attorney General Faris Al Rawi was making a contribution in Parliament yesterday morning.
And he sought to clarify that it was not Al Rawi, but Laventille West MP Fitzgerald Hinds he was addressing, suggesting that Hinds had provoked him.
“Mr Hinds is himself quite provocative, so in the heat of the parliamentary banter I may have said something that I regret, so I quickly withdrew the statement and apologised properly,” Moonilal said, although not indicating what Hinds had said to set him off.
Moonilal’s “shut your stink mouth” was heard clearly in the background as Al Rawi was on his feet. The reaction from government benches was immediate, as seen and heard in the video, with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley expressing his objection to the comment.
That was followed by Speaker of the House Bridgid Annisette-George warning parliamentarians to be respectful to each other.
“I have heard the comment from this chair and I would like all members to be guided by the Standing Orders and at least show each other some respect,” she said.
