Africa-Press – Seychelles. The leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Sebastien Pillay, is allowed under Article 74 of the Constitution to bring a motion of censure against Transport Minister Antony Derjacques because he refrained from admitting his link with the law firm representing Travizory.
In his ruling on the matter of privilege raised by Hon. Pillay in the Assembly sitting of Tuesday morning, yesterday Speaker Roger Mancienne stated that the motion has to be endorsed by a third of Assembly members and it is only after a seven-day notice that it will be considered and it has to be approved by two thirds of Assembly members so he is free to follow the procedures and see the process through.
Yesterday Speaker Roger Mancienne reviewed the question and answer sequence between Hon. Pillay and other Assembly members and Minister Derjacques.
At one point in the question and answer sequence between Hon. Pillay and Minister Derjacques the latter confirmed that the legal advisor for Travizory is Guy Ferley and that there was no conflict of interest between the law firm and himself. He went on to note that it is the constitutional right of Travizory to choose its lawyers and that he is certain it has chosen the particular law firm after vetting it. From the review of the question and answer sequence, Speaker Mancienne noted that it was clear that Hon. Pillay had pressed Minister Derjacques on the issue of the law chamber associated with Travizory but the minister repeated that he had never been presented with any report of conflict of interest.
It was during a question session in the Assembly in March this year that Hon. Pilllay questioned the minister on his connection with the law firm Ferley and associates representing Travizory.
Minister Derjacques said he did not have any conflict of interest with the firm but Hon. Pillay has proved otherwise. On Tuesday, Hon. Pillay produced a public document that clearly shows that Minister Derjacques is linked to Mr Guy Ferley’s law chamber.
“The minister in his reply avoided to say that he is linked to Mr Guy Ferley in a law chamber and this is the basis of the matter of privilege raised. So the question is: Has the minister misled the Assembly?” Speaker Mancienne asked.
Speaker Mancienne noted that Under Order 37(8), the Assembly allows the minister certain privilege not to answer a question. But what does misled means? To give a false information and to make one believe something else other than the right information.
‘’Not giving an information is not misleading but leaves the question open. So I do not see that the Assembly’s privilege has been damaged. But I recognise that not giving an information will result in doubt, mistrust and leave room for different allegations. So I understand if the leader of the opposition wants to continue questioning the matter. But doubts and allegation are not guilt,” said Speaker Mancienne.
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