PHILIPSBURG--Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Romain Laville apologised for threats he made against fellow MP Jules James (United People's party) Monday. While James accepted the apology made on the floor of Parliament Tuesday morning, he rehashed the fears that led him to file a police report.
Laville threatened to shoot James and also challenged to a fight for what he termed James' continuous references to him leaving UP and joining the National Alliance (NA)-led coalition.
"I apologise to my colleague and the people of this great country ... I look forward to having a discussion outside with my colleague in order for us to be able to move forward. ... From the depths of my heart I apologise," Laville said. He also apologised to President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell, who together with other MPs witnessed the incident.
Speaking about the incident Laville said, "In the heat of the moment, words were said that didn't have meaning ... [but] I hold responsibility for that. Sometimes when we are so heated things come out of our mouths, things we say, that if we look back on it we would have probably chosen different words." He added that after sitting and thinking about exactly what happened "passed a bad shadow" on Parliament "and I bear the responsibility for passing that shadow."
He added that many youngsters who look to MPs "as examples and leaders they aspire to be" were "let down" as well as their parents by the incident of Monday "so I humbly apologise."
James said, "As far as I am concerned I accept his apology ... I personally felt threatened last night with the statements that he would shoot me and kill me, I went to the police station to lodge a complaint. ... It was uncalled for."
James said he does not believe that anyone should walk with a gun, "especially if it is an unlicensed gun where he would make threats to a fellow colleague for statements that may have been made in this hall." He added that he made the police report "for the record" in case anything happened to him.
"I was intimidated and threatened. I am glad that persons withheld the individual from ... launching himself on me," James said.
MP George Pantophlet (NA) took offence with James' acceptance of the apology but then launching into a rehash of the incident. "I am extremely disappointed ... he [James] got up and said he accepted the apology but then made all kind of statements that were not called for. ... I am disappointed because not only [is he] a member of Parliament, be he is so considered to be a brother in the church."
MP Dr. Ruth Douglass (UP) classified "childish behaviour" that harkens back to the beginning of Parliament and this recent incident shows that words should be "measured." MPs are "the example" for the community and private behaviour such as the use of profanities will come out in public. "There is no pride in being parliamentarian. There is no respect from the people outside there because you have no respect from your colleagues ... we have to learn and move on."
She added that when someone feels that their life is in danger it must be stated in what way. "I know what that feeling is ..." referring to threats levied against her life by her ex-husband.
MP Louie Laveist said on behalf of NA he accepted Laville's apology and concurred with Pantophlet. "I think it's time we move on ... what has been said has been said. I think we took a very mature approach in here today and we should consider it water under the bridge and learn from this experience."
MP Silvia Meyers-Olivacce (UP) said she also accepted the apology. "Some of us forget our position and where we are ... some of us need to grow up. We need to set examples ... and stop the childish behaviour.
"Due to the ill behaviour in Parliament and Monday's incident, I ended up suffering certain slight issues especially reading the blogs on SMN-News. Out of all of this, I became 'a female dog' by someone who doesn't even know me." That comment from an anonymous blogger targeted Meyers-Olivacce because she served as a witness when James went to make the police report.
President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell said she also accepted the apology from Laville, but also thought it "prudent" to allow everyone who wanted to speak about the incident to do so.
"Statements made outside [of a parliament meeting] are statements." She added that Article 65 of the Constitution states that members of parliament and/or ministers who are part of the deliberations cannot be prosecuted or otherwise held liable for anything they say during the meetings of Parliament."
Also on meeting agenda was the approval of Parliament's decision list. This point was referred to another meeting to give MPs an opportunity to review the documents. The other agenda points, the vetting of incoming MP Rodolphe Samuel's credentials and the appointment of two new deputy presidents of parliament were handled.
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