Opposition is standing on the side of the criminals – AG

It was a heated debate this evening in Parliament when Attorney General [AG] Anil Nanlall took the floor and accused the political opposition parties of being on the side of criminals.

His statement was met with strong condemnation from the opposition.

The AG made the remarks following the rejection by the opposition of the Police (Change of Name) Bill. The Bill sought to change the name of the Guyana Police Force to the Guyana Police Service.

The AG, who is also the Minister for Legal Affairs in his presentation said, “You can stand on one of two sides – the side of the law, or the side of the criminals and the opposition is on the side of the criminals!”

Following this statement, Alliance for Change [AFC] Executive Member, Moses Nagamootoo stood up and told the Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman that the AG’s statement can indict each and every member of the opposition.

Nagamootoo asked for the statement to be withdrawn and removed from the record. Speaker Trotman agreed.

However, Nanlall was allowed to amend his statement. He said, “You can either stand on the side of the law or the side of criminals and my supporters have told me that the opposition is standing on the side of the criminals.”

Meanwhile, in his presentation of the Bill, Minister for Home Affairs, Clement Rohee said that a political tug of war over the Police Force is unnecessary.

He exclaimed, “If we have to wait until next elections to bring the Bill back, so shall we!”