Shyne Barrow and Tracy Panton Steadfast Against Domestic Violence
The Opposition, led by its newly reappointed Leader, Shyne Barrow, fully supported the Motion on Domestic Violence. Barrow, who himself was accused in October of 2020 of domestic abuse, recommended that the House goes further than just supporting the Act, but also deals with members who may be accused. The U.D.P.’s candidate now challenging Barrow for the post of U.D.P. Leader, Tracy Panton, was also forceful in her condemnation of gender-based violence. We hear first from Barrow.
Shyne Barrow
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“I do believe that when we have these instances, not just gender-based violence but any instance in which any member of Parliament is alleged to be behaving in a way that falls short of the highest standards which we hold our parliamentarians to, that there should be additional steps taken by this House. I sit on the House Rules Committee. I believe that there should be a House Select Committee chaired by Madam Speaker and we should look into these allegations similar to when a person faces a criminal prosecution and they may be victorious but there can be a civil liability. So I do believe, in keeping with the Code of Conduct, that we should go further than just this pronouncement, but put teeth into holding members of this House accountable. I myself have been accused and it is not something that I take lightly. I have apologised to my wife, to my daughter, to my mother, my mother-in-law, all the women that support me, for even being remotely involved in such allegations. And I take it very serious. It was an isolated incident and it should never and will happen again. And even in those isolated incidents I would like that there be a procedure in the House, where if not GBV (gender-based violence), but any type of allegation of misbehaviour, inappropriate conduct, that we go further – further than if the criminal courts decide that they will not pursue it, that the House convenes a Special Select Committee to look into these matters.”
The twenty-seven members from both sides who were present unanimously supported the Domestic Violence Motion. Four members were not present to vote on the Motion, including the embattled former U.D.P. Leader, Patrick Faber.
