Opposition Senators in Grenada have given notice that they will in the next sitting of the Upper House table a Motion challenging the impartiality of President of the Senate Barrister at-Law Leslie-Ann Seon.

Some of the Senators wore masking tapes around their mouths during a meeting on Tuesday to protest a decision which was made by the President. Seon disallowed a Motion to appear on the Order Paper which was sent to the Clerk on May 26 by Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House George Prime.

It seeks to get Parliamentary approval for the setting up of a joint committee to appoint a panel chaired by an eminent jurist to fully investigate allegations which were made in Offshore Alert about Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell.

The President made her decision under Section 36 of the Standing Orders, the rule governing the Upper House. It said "references should not be made to any matter which is sub judice, in such a way as might in the opinion of the Chair prejudice the interest of the parties thereto".
The Grenadian leader is reported to have taken a bribe of half a million US dollars from fraudster Eric Resteiner of Germany in exchange for a diplomatic position.

Dr. Mitchell has since denied he did any thing inappropriate and has said in a national address that he had only received $15.000 US. The Grenadian leader said the money was to cover for an investment trip he took to Europe and the Middle East on behalf of the country.

The Senators involved in the protest action were George Prime, Ingrid Rush and Arley Gill who are associated with the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The others include Labour Representative Senator Chester Humphrey and Farmers Representative Keith Clouden.

Gill told reporters at a news conference to announce the decision that when Seon, a Barrister at-Law was appointed she did receive the full support of both Houses. He said however that her decision not to hear the Motion must not be taken lightly since her job as President is one that should be impartial.

According to Gill a Barrister at-Law, her interpretation on the Motion has turned Parliament into a sham. Labour representative in the Senate Chester Humphrey has described the President's decision as "an acute stretching of the muscle".

He said there was no reason why the Motion was not allowed on the Order Paper according to Section 22:3 of the House Standing Orders.
It said that "Subject to these Standing Orders, any Senator may propose by way of Motion any matter for debate in the Senate".

Senator Humphrey pointed out what the rule does is that it gives one the right to speak on any issue but within the confines of the Standing Orders. The labour Representative in the Senate described the decision of President Seon as "highly undemocratic" promising that he will continue pursuing the matter in another forum.