Speaker Refuses Congratulations for Voting Against ‘Yellow Man’

Brian “Yellow Man” Audinett

Sergeant-At-Arms Brian “Yellow Man” Audinett was back at his post during Friday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, having avoided being fired after assaulting several journalists a few weeks ago during a Senate Special Select Committee public hearing. A majority of U.D.P. parliamentarians voted to spare Audinett, only reprimanding him and making him apologize to the affected members of the press. House Speaker Laura Longsworth was one of two members of the National Assembly Staff Committee to vote for his dismissal, and Leader of the Opposition John Briceño, whose colleague Florencio Marin Junior was the other, wanted to pay tribute to that at the opening of the meeting. But he ran afoul of the Standing Orders and the Speaker had to awkwardly intervene.

John Briceño

John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition

“May I first start off, Madam Speaker, by congratulating you on the principle position you took when it comes to the issue of the sergeant at arms.”

Laura Longsworth, Speaker of the House

“You are not supposed to any matter related to the Speaker, please do not go there please Hon. Opposition Leader. It is in the standing orders, you are not allowed to do that. You are not allowed to refer to my chair at all, please.”

John Briceño

“Well I am asking you madam speaker if you were to look at section 91.2 where you can be allowed to allow me to speak on such an important issue.”

Laura Longsworth

Laura Longsworth

“Hon. Member I am referring to section 38.8. Please do not go there. I am not allowing it. I am sorry. I cannot. Thank you.”

John Briceño

“I just want to put it on record. I am most disappointed and we have lost the confident of the sergeant of arms.”

Laura Longsworth

“Opposition Leader, please have your seat.  Thank you very much.”

Audinett is banned from attending hearings of the Committee during the time of its investigation.