You Can’t Talk ‘By Heart’ And Expect Protection – Bagbin To Kennedy Agyapong, Other MPs

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has cautioned Members of Parliament to be weary of statements they make outside the premises of the legislative house.

He made this comment in relation to a petition submitted to the house by the Multimedia group accusing Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong of threats against its journalist.

According to Hon. Bagbin, MPs must be guided in their utterances because the immunity they enjoy does not go beyond Parliament; stressing that no one is above the law.

“It is important for me to emphasize here that the privilege and immunity of free speech applies in full force in plenary session and committee sessions, not when members are outside debating issues or on radio and TV. You don’t have that right, that privilege, that immunity to just say anything because you are a member of parliament.

“We are not above the law. It is for good reasons because you represent a large number of people, you should be given the full immunity to be able to say what the people say they want you to say. That is why you say it here and you are covered,” he said.

He has however referred the petition to the privileges committee of the house for further action.

Source: GhanaFeed.com