May 26, 2016 Source
The PPP/C today said that its MPs left last night’s flag raising ceremony after being “disrespected”.
A statement by the party follows:
The People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) had publicly expressed its desire to celebrate and participate in the 50th Independence Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony, as this is a very special occasion in the life of our nation. As a result, Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo and other PPP/C MPs made every effort to ensure that they would be there and able to participate.
The issue of arrangements for accommodating the PPP/C MPs was raised on May 23rd,2016 with Minister Amna Ally and again on May 24th, 2016 at the sitting of Parliament; the Leader of the Opposition spoke directly to Minister Nicollette Henry who is the Co-chair of the Flag Raising activity. The Minister gave all assurances that seats had been reserved for the PPP/C MPs and their spouses.
On the morning of May 25th, 2016, Minister Henry was approached again about the location of and accommodation at the flag raising. Again, all assurances were given that the Leader of the Opposition, Members of Parliament and their spouses would be accommodated.
Regrettably on arrival at the VIP area tonight there were no seats set aside for the Opposition MPs, except for the two Former Presidents, Dr. Jagdeo and Mr. Sam Hinds and two other MPs. The majority of the MPs were left standing. Appeals were made to Minister Henry and Attorney-General Basil Williams but to no avail.
However, in the interim dozens of people were escorted to and seated in the VIP area. After standing for over half-of-an-hour in the passage way and no seats were made available, the Leader of the Opposition, Former President Hinds, accompanied by the MPs and their spouses departed.
The humiliation of standing in the passage way while other people were being seated was deliberately designed to humiliate and embarrass the PPP/C parliamentary opposition.
