Guardian Accused of Lying About Deliberations of Senate Committee

Eamon Courtenay

Who is leaking inaccurate suggestions of private deliberations of the Senate Special Select Committee on Immigration to certain sections of the media? That question came up in the full meeting of the Senate during debate on the Supplementary Appropriation Bill. According to the United Democratic Party’s organ, the Guardian newspaper, Senator Mark Lizarraga is at the center of allegations concerning the Committee, in which he is alleged to have suggested that he be paid to attend meetings and that his brother be contracted to broadcast the proceedings live as required by the terms of reference. The Senator was absent today, but colleague on the Committee Eamon Courtenay rose in support of him, excoriating the newspaper’s for practicing yellow journalism.

Eamon Courtenay, P.U.P. Senator

“The toilet paper called the Guardian said, that Senator Lizarraga requested that he be paid to attend meetings of the Senate Special Select Committee. That is a lie. And the public should know that Senator Lizarraga made no such request. The toilet paper called the Guardian said that Senator Lizarraga sought to have his brother’s company benefit from televising the proceedings. That, also, is a lie. And the public record should know that Senator Lizarraga made no such request. The point of the matter, Mister President and members, is that the deliberations of what took place in the Senate Special Committee are not to be disclosed; they are subject to confidence of the Committee until the report of the Senate is laid on the table in this honorable Senate. And we on this side condemn that that information reached the public, what was being discussed, and we condemn that it is inaccurate.”