Disciplinary Committee will look at how the incident affected NDP

Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace says a disciplinary committee would be selected to look into the actions of South Leeward representative Nigel Stephenson.{{more}}

In an interview with SEARCHLIGHT on Tuesday, Eustace said the disciplinary committee would be selected by the Central Executive Committee of the New Democratic Party (NDP), and is expected to meet next Tuesday January 20.

“We will examine the circumstances; how the incident affected the party and what sanctions we think should apply to the person who commits any act that would bring the party into difficulty and disrepute in any way.

“He has agreed that he was wrong in the circumstances. He has apologised and they will look at all of that.”

Eustace indicated that there were some standing members on the committee, but did not disclose who they were, neither did he indicate what penalties would be meted out to the parliamentarian, who was found to be driving an unlicensed and uninsured vehicle for five years.

The Opposition Leader indicated that he was aware of reports that government Senator Luke Browne had confessed to driving, for four years, without a valid driver’s licence, and said that the committee would take note of that, admitting that the politicians are “only humans,” but the length of time in noncompliance should not be taken lightly.

“This three-year thing… you can forget for some months because if you pay for three years, it could strike you that you haven’t paid for some months, but when it comes to five years that is a different story.

“I wouldn’t bother with somebody who has a couple months, but if it goes on for years that’s a different story, you can’t forget for years,” he said.(JJ)