Speaker rules Kambwili out of order

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini today ruled Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Chishimba Kambwili out of order for using insulting language in Parliament.

In his ruling on a point of order raised by Monze central Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu who wanted to find out whether Mr. Kambwili was in order to use insulting words in reference to the Post newspaper while winding up debate for his ministry, Dr. Matibini said Parliamentary rules on etiquette strictly prohibit the use of insulting language in the house.

He said a review of the verbatim record showed that Mr. Kambwili in winding up the debate on the vote for his ministry did use unparliamentary language by quoting what he had said outside the house against the Post newspaper and also by quoting the insulting words from the newspaper.

Dr. Matibini says from the verbatim record it is indisputable that Mr. Kambwili did use certain unparliamentary words in his debate even though he used the words in reference to remarks he had made against the Post newspaper when he was outside the house.

And the Speaker has ruled that UPND Members of Parliament were not out of order to resolve to walk out of Parliament whenever a matter before the house aggrieved them.

Ruling on a point of order raised by Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba who wanted to find out whether UPND Members of Parliament were in order to walkout of the house whenever aggrieved, Dr. Matibini said walkouts do not amount to a breach of the rules of the house or parliamentary practice or procedure.

He however, stated that there are negative effects to walkouts for the electorate and the smooth running of the business of the house.