MINISTER of Defence Wayne Sturge has called for Independent Senator Anthony Vieira to be removed from the Upper House.
Sturge yesterday referred to Vieira’s presence in the Senate as “untenable” and questioned why he was brought back as an Independent Senator after serving a previous period.
The minister made the remarks on his Toco/Sangre Grande Facebook page, joining the United National Congress’ (UNC) criticism of Vieira’s comments that late former Independent senator Deoroop Teemal, who suddenly passed away last Sunday, had been emotionally stressed as a result of the party attacking the Independent bench.
In a statement on Teemal’s death on Sunday, Vieira remembered him as a man deeply rooted in service and made reference to what he said were “unmeritorious” and “deeply unfair” attacks made against Independent senators, including Teemal.
He said that Teemal had told him such attacks had begun to affect his health.
“It pains me to say that in his final months, Deo was not well. The unmeritorious and deeply unfair attacks levelled against the Independent Bench—and against him personally—affected him.
“He told me of the toll it was taking on his health. He spoke of high blood pressure, of the distress caused to his family by online trolling, and of how the toxicity of our political environment was weighing heavily upon him. He did not deserve that,” wrote Vieira in his message of condolences.
Sturge said that “Anthony Vieira must be removed from the Senate”.
Recalling that Vieira served in the Senate from 2013 to 2015, Sturge said he was “then removed to make way for the most impartial and impactful Independent Senate Benches this country has ever seen”.
“Why was he brought back from 2018 to now?” Sturge asked.
He said if Vieira serves out his term, “it would be the longest anyone has ever served on that bench”.
Sturge went on to contend that Vieira was “very openly one sided and adds little value to that bench”.
“He has shown his hand so very long ago and on so many occasions,” Sturge said, adding that “it is mind boggling how he was brought back”.
Sturge further asserted that along with “his comrades” (Government senators) Faris Al-Rawi and Foster Cummings, Vieira’s “presence in the upper chamber is untenable”.
‘Not affected
In a brief telephone interview on June 29, Teemal had told the Express that he was not affected at the time by what he saw as an attempt to strategise by the Government.
The controversy had stemmed from earlier remarks by UNC public relations officer Dr Kirk Meighoo about the Independent bench as the Government was preparing to go to the Senate with the Prime Minister’s Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The bill, which required a three-fifths majority to pass in both houses of Parliament, including the support of four Independent senators, was passed. Teemal was one of five Independent senators who voted for the bill.
Prior to debate in the Upper House, Meighoo had questioned the objectivity of an Independent bench appointed by President Christine Kangaloo, whom he called a “long-standing and deeply embedded figure” within the People’s National Movement (PNM).
Meighoo claimed the Upper House did not contain any truly Independent senators, asking “how are the President’s senators going to vote”, whether “as a group, as if they caucused, or of one mind”.
Meighoo called on “the President’s senators” not to thwart the will of the people by stopping the pension bill.
Teemal had stated that he did not take the comments as bullying.
“If the Government tries to use certain strategies to build support for their bill, that is totally up to them. I would prefer to look at it as an attempt to bring attention to the matter at hand, in their way.” Teemal said in June.
Teemal had said he usually makes a decision on a piece of legislation during the debate and committee process where details may come to light which he had not seen or considered.