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A verbal clash between the Barataria/San Juan Member of Parliament and the Speaker of the Lower House.

Not pleased with the ruling of Speaker Brigid Annisette George, Barataria San Juan MP Saddam Hussein last night said there was oppression in the House.

It was during his contribution to the debate on a motion last evening; Speaker Annisette George had to caution MP Hussein several times.

After several interjections, Speaker Annisette George took a decision.

The standing order was read into the records by Laventille west MP Fitzgerald Hinds and a vote was taken to suspend the Opposition MP.

The incident occurred just before the wrap up by the Finance Minister Colm Imbert.

Senator Jerlean John takes the Prime Minister to task over his recent comments about Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

It during his Post Cabinet press conference last week Dr. Keith Rowley referred to the Opposition Leader wearing her nightgown

However yesterday Senator John called Dr. Rowley’s comments offensive and vile.

She added that Dr. Rowley should be seeking ways to save people from crime instead of making such statements.

In recent days, the government has been under attack following an increase in gun related killings.

There has also been an upsurge in domestic killings.  

The rainy season in Trinidad and Tobago has officially started.

Saide Shakeel of the Trinidad and Tobago MET Service says the season began this morning.

The meteorologist says the end of this month may see below average Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone activities.

The MET Service is promising to say more when it meets with the media tomorrow.

Meanwhile the MET Service has discontinued its high wind alert.

The MET Service says the threat of wind gusts in excess of 55km/h has diminished.

However, it says a few showers and occasional breezy periods can still be expected today.

The MET Service says sea conditions remain moderate with waves in open waters up to 2.5 meters and less than 1 meter in sheltered areas.

Spring tides are also in effect.

Marine interests are being encouraged to continue monitoring conditions and follow the instructions of lifeguards.

Prisoners may soon be afforded “Conjugal Visits” but only if they behave and are involved in a rehabilitation program.

Acting Prisons Commissioner Deopersad Ramoutar was quick to clarify that conjugal is not only about sex.

Speaking with Newscenter 5 this morning Commissioner Ramoutar explained that there are some steps, which must first be taken.

The Head of the Prison Service also noted that should “Conjugal Visits” elevate to what is the norm, there would be strict rules.

A Conjugal Visit is a scheduled period in which an inmate is permitted to spend several hours or days in private with a visitor.

The visitor is usually their legal spouse, and the visit’s purpose is for sexual activity.

Christian church leaders receive a tongue lashing from a former Gender Affairs Minister.

Verna St. Rose Greaves severely criticises the Anglican Church over what she describes as the abuse of children at some homes under its purview.

She was speaking on the Take Two program i95.5fm yesterday afternoon.

Mrs. St Rose Greaves said the leaders were aware and did nothing.

The Social Activist said the issue is not unique to the Anglican Church.

She also trained her guns at non-governmental organisations, which represent children.

Mrs. St Rose Greaves said it is time for those in authority to do away with lip service and deal with the issues affecting children.

In response to the ruling, former Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj SC and the man who was the last to use the death penalty in this country says, Parliament has always held the power of the death penalty.

He says legislators lack the will.

Mr. Maharaj says this is not the first time The Privy Council has admonished the Parliament on this matter.

The last time the death penalty was used in Trinidad and Tobago was back in 1999 when drug lord and gang leader Dole Chadee and 8 others were hanged for the murder of the Baboolal family.

The United Kingdom-based Privy Council rules that only Parliament can remove the death penalty as the mandatory sentence for murder. 

In a judgment today 9 Law Lords dismissed a novel constitutional challenge over the death penalty brought by Jay Chandler.

Mr. Chandler was convicted of murdering a fellow remand prisoner in 2004. 

The Privy Council rules that although seemingly in breach of constitutional fundamental rights and protections, the death penalty is not unconstitutional.

The Privy Council also delivered its judgment in a separate case brought by murder accused Naresh Boodram. 

In that matter, the State had challenged the ruling of the Court Of Appeal over whether automatic life sentences should be given to murder convicts, who cannot be executed due to delays in their appeals. 

Mr. Boodram was convicted of murder on 27^th November 1996 and sentenced to death.

In 2007, Mr. Boodram commenced proceedings to have his death sentence quashed and to be resentenced by the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago.

The High Court commuted his sentence to one of life imprisonment, considering that it did not have discretion to resentence him individually, and made no order as to costs.

Mr. Boodram appealed successfully to the Court Of Appeal of Trinidad and Tobago, who found that the High Court was not constrained to impose a sentence of life imprisonment.

The Court Of Appeal had ruled those murder convicts, who benefit from the Privy Council’s well-known 1994 ruling in the Jamaican case of Pratt and Morgan.

The Privy Council today dismissed the State’s appeal on the issue as it ruled that the local Court Of Appeal was correct in its reasoning. 

A 17-year-old boy has been shot dead by police in San Juan.

He is identified as Deandre Henry.

Reports say the incident took place at the corner of 1^st street and 1^st Avenue yesterday.

Newscenter 5 understands Deandre was among a group of men setting fire to a house in the area.

Police responded and the men ran off.

However officers say they were fired upon by one of the men.

Officers say in keeping with the Use Of Force policy they returned fire fatally hitting the teenager.

The other men escaped.

Deandre was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The increase in crime, especially violence within families has not escaped the Prime Minister’s attention.

According to police data, 20 women have lost their lives following domestic disputes.

The most recent incidents saw 3 women killed between Tuesday and Thursday. 

Questioned on the recent spate of fatal domestic incidents Dr. Keith Rowley admitted yesterday he is alarmed.

Dr. Rowley recalled a time when a community raised children.

The Prime Minister refuted the notion that the pandemic is some how contributing to an increase in crime.

He said there are no excuses for those engaging in criminal activity.

There has been a spate of domestic killings and fatal gun crimes over the past few months.

Police have arrested several people in connection with the incidents.