Imbert, Mark Squabble about Galleons Passage

Opposition Senator Wade Mark.
Opposition Senator Wade Mark.

YESTERDAY’S Senate session hadn’t even gone on for half an hour before Opposition Senator Wade Mark and Finance Minister Colm Imbert squabbled over the Galleons Passage ferry, with Mark accusing Imbert of calling him a liar.

It began with a question from Mark, inquiring how the Cabinet’s inter-ministerial committee, headed by Imbert to procure a vessel to service the inter-island seabridge, made sure the country wasn’t purchasing a vessel “cat-in-bag, as it were.”

Imbert, who had answered similar questions in the Senate, by his count, at least twice before, suggested that Mark’s memory was deficient but said he would remind him nonetheless. A number of steps have been taken, Imbert assured, including sea trials and inspections by Lloyd’s Registry in Hong Kong, University of TT experts, Australian engineers and two independent valuators.

Mark hit back, “I want to make clear that unlike you, my memory is not deficient, and I want to ask you...” he said, pointing at Imbert.

He was immediately cautioned by Senate President Christine Kangaloo. “Ask your questions through me, please, Senator Mark,” she said.

Mark, ignored her, interjected that Imbert had “used unsuitable language” and sought her protection.

“Please stop pointing at me, Senator Mark,” Kangaloo said.

“Ah not pointing at you,” he retorted.

“Yes, you are. You will always have my protection, but ask for it in a way that is consistent with the conventions of this Senate,” Kangaloo said, maintaining her restraint.

Mark changed his tack, “I want to ask the distinguished Minister of Finance, through you, if he is aware that two men, hired by his ministry or the Government, David Brash and Adrian Beharry, had been despatched to assess if the vessel was suited for purpose. Is the Minister aware of those names?”

Imbert rejoined, “Madam President, I do not want to use the word ‘untruth’ in this House, but that is not true. That is a complete figment of Senator Mark’s imagination. A total untruth.”

Mark’s supplemental question was whether, if evidence to the contrary were shown, the minister would withdraw his statement. Kangaloo did not allow the question.

That should have been the end of the debate, and Opposition Senator Anita Haynes had already stood up to ask her question. Except in cross-talk, Imbert’s apparent picong aimed at Mark incensed him to leap up and seek the protection of the President, interrupting Haynes and startling Kangaloo.

“Let the minister answer the question! Like you have something to hide,” he told Imbert.

“Senator Mark, please let us continue in a distinguished manner as we begin this sitting, okay?” said Kangaloo.

“I seek your protection! The gentleman (Imbert) is saying, why I ‘like to lie so.’ I take objection to that language!” Mark said.

“I did not hear that,” Kangaloo said, although she did caution Imbert, who, having finished, left, leaving Mark somewhat mollified.

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"Imbert, Mark Squabble about Galleons Passage"

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