Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is setting an example of violence. So says the Opposition PNM, which is also accusing the government and the UNC of trivialising violence against women. Rynessa Cutting has more.
00:00A pattern of violence is how the opposition PNM describes Prime Minister Kamala Passat
00:29Bissessor's rhetoric, something they say is not only unbecoming, but also sets a dangerous precedent.
00:36Prime Minister now, Kamala Passat Bissessor, continuing to speak in this violent way while expecting our children in schools to not be violent and while expecting to speak to those who are out there doing violent acts and saying, do not choose violence.
00:55When the Prime Minister in her speech is not only choosing violence, but setting a violent example for all citizens of this nation, that is reprehensible, that is uncalled for, and it is below the standard of parliamentary and even normal behaviour expected for any citizen, far less the Prime Minister of this country.
01:18The latest incident occurred in Parliament on Friday, and the Gadsby Dolly notes, were the rules reversed, there would have been a national uproar.
01:27I want the country to ask themselves, if the opposite had happened, if it were MP Imbert issuing a threat to cough down Prime Minister Kamala Passat Bissessor, what would have been the outcome?
01:46What would have been the outcry from the public?
01:49The UNC woman's arm had subsequently issued a statement, arguing that the Prime Minister was simply defending herself, after MP Imbert allegedly pointed his finger at her in a hostile manner.
02:06Leader of government business, Barry Padarath, had also offered an explanation that the Prime Minister meant to cough down MP Imbert in a political sense.
02:15So I call on the UNC today to stop trivialising violence against women.
02:22It is reprehensible that a man in the person of Barry Padarath could take the front to trivialise violence against women when it is such a tragic circumstance, even within the UNC,
02:40where one of your UNC councillors has been killed in circumstances linked to domestic violence.
02:47It is wrong.
02:51I call on the Prime Minister to stop hiding behind Minister Barry Padarath.
02:56Stop hiding.
02:58You are the Prime Minister of this nation.
03:01Come forward and speak.
03:03You must not only have mouth in the Parliament.
03:05Come forward, face the media, speak, do the responsible thing, and own up to your error.
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