Julius Sues Mike Over Ugly Ending to House Meeting of August 26th
But shortly that case, Peyrefitte was back in court for a case brought against him by Cayo South area representative, Julius Espat. In late August, Espat was removed by force from the House of Representatives at the behest of Speaker Peyrefitte. The media was also roughed up and instructed to vacate the gallery as pandemonium broke. The show-down occurred when Espat rose to debate the Special Audit, a three volume report by the Auditor General, Dorothy Bradley on a myriad of irregularities at the Immigration Department during the period 2011-2013. While he was thrown out of the House, Espat contends he was not suspended because due process was not followed. Today, he appeared in court along with his attorney Andrew Marshalleck. The attorney claims that Espat’s right to protection of law was violated and s freedom was expression was breached.
Andrew Marshalleck
Andrew Marshalleck, Attorney for Julius Espat
“The Speaker has no authority to suspend Mister Espat, it was for the House to suspend him; and the House acts by virtue of resolutions duly voted and passed. There was no resolution quoted upon for the suspension of Mister Espat.”
Reporter
“So the suspension is unconstitutional…”
Andrew Marshalleck
“That is…”
Reporter
“And that is your claim, and you are asking the court to reinstate him?”
Andrew Marshalleck
“That is our case, but if there is no suspension it means he is not suspended. So there is no need for…”
Reporter
“Let us not try to split judicial [or] legal hairs, sir – he is suspended based on…”
Andrew Marshalleck
“We’re saying he’s not suspended.”
Reporter
“So if there was a House meeting tomorrow, and he goes, and the Speaker send Police after him, what would be your take on that?”
Andrew Marshalleck
“Well, what it does is aggravate the whole issue of damages. And we are asking for damages for breaches of Mister Espat’s Constitutional rights. It also goes to democracy, and the people of Cayo South being represented at those meetings, in meetings where they are entitled to have Mister Espat present.”
Reporter
“So, specifically, you are asking the court for what? Damages, reinstatement, what?”
Andrew Marshalleck
“It’s for declarations that what was done was in breach of the rules; a declaration that was done was in breach of Mister Espat’s constitutional rights.”
