Court rules against Asot Michael

The High Court in St. John’s has dismissed an injunction filed by Asot Michael,
against the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir Gerald Watt, over his
suspension from the House for three consecutive meetings.
Michael was suspended on May 18 after he engaged in actions deemed by the
other members of the House to have been egregious and unbecoming of a member
of the House. The majority of the other members of the House voted for his
suspension.
Following the suspension, Michael filed a motion before the court to have the
suspension nullified.
On Wednesday, Mr. Justice Rene Williams accepted the submission from the legal
team representing Sir Gerald, that the court has no jurisdiction over a matter that
happened in the parliament of Antigua and Barbuda.
“The court has no jurisdiction to be in judgment in the internal affairs of
parliament. This is consistent with the principle of the separation of powers.
Additionally, Section 58 of the Antigua and Barbuda Constitution codified this
long-held position that the words and the actions of a member of parliament, while
addressing parliament or in a committee, cannot be inquired into by a court. This is
where the question of Absolute Privilege comes in," Dr. Dorsett explained.
He further explained that whilst Michael’s suspension was the result of a vote by
members of the House, it was a matter over which the court has no jurisdiction to
entertain.
Based on these well-established and documented principles, the High Court judge
dismissed Michael’s application for an injunction to nullify his suspension.
Dr. Dorsett was assisted by his associate Jared Hewlett, while Michael was
represented by Barbadian attorney, Elliot Mottley, KC, and attorney Hugh
Marshall Jnr.