House Speaker, Alix Boyd-Knights, has said her family is concerned about her because of remarks posted on Facebook, but she is not afraid of death.
“I do not fear what is to become of my mortal soul because I have lived accordingly,” she said during the opening of Parliament on Thursday morning.
She said the post on Facebook was brought to her attention.
“Basically what the person said is that I am preventing the people’s business in the house, I am blocking questions, I am preventing democracy, all sorts of allegations were made against me and the person finally said I hope she doesn’t get hurt,” the Speaker said.
She said her family fears for her safety.
“My family fears for me and it is upsetting to them,” she noted. “So it is from that point of view that I check on these things and take them a little more seriously than I normally would.”
She added, “OK, this is what is going on in the media about me…”
The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has expressed concerns that its members are not being allowed to ask questions in Parliament.
The party said that Thursday’s sitting is the second consecutive time the opposition has been barred from asking questions by Boyd-Knights.
But the House Speaker countered that Standing Order 22 is very clear on the matter of questions being asked in Parliament.
“I want to read it to the House because it seems very few members read the rules of the House, the Standing Orders or even if they do, they may not understand it so purposes of clarity and everything, I am going to do so,” she said.
She added, “Standing Order 22 is saying a question shall not be asked without notice unless it is of an urgent character or relates to the business of the day and the member has obtained the permission of the Speaker to ask it, number one. Two, notice of a question may be handed by the member to the clerk when the House is sitting or may be sent to or left at the office of the clerk at any time during the hours prescribed for the purpose. Every such notice must be signed by the member giving it and three, the reply to any question may be deferred to the next meeting of the House unless a member asking the question shall have given not less than 14 clear days notice in writing of his intention to ask the same.”
She said any member who wishes to ask a question may do so at any time since the rules dictate how and where to do so.
“The allegation being made against me is that I refused to put questions on the Order Paper but the fact of the matter there is a difference, in case the wider public out there does not appreciate it, between deferring and refusing,” Boyd-Knights stated. “I never refused to put those questions on the Order Paper. They have been deferred because they came in too late. The questions came in 10 days before today’s meeting…”
She also said she has leeway on urgent matters, but questions sent came in late and could not be entertained.
This is not the first time the matter of Facebook threats has come up in Parliament.
In May, Boyd-Knights told the House that she has made a report to the police based on a post on the social media giant by someone who used the name “Roseau Valley.”
Madame Speaker, If you cannot identify the people making threats against you, then they should be left to think they are macho.
It would have been Better to Keep Calm, let them open up their ignorant self a bit more,
Then get those wanna be Killers.
Never let a hunter know he/she is being hunted
loss weight and you will run faster when death strike your way
Distasteful to use the Hon. House for domestic house keeping affairs. Bring these issues up with the police on personal time and not as an opening address to MPs and the wider listening public. But with regards to questions on the Order paper…why were questions presented by the opposition, subsequently barred, at the LAST sitting of parliament not entertained this time around. One would have thought that based on the arguments presented these very questions barred from the last sitting would have automatically made their way based on the 14 day criteria.
The opposition wants power so back that they will do everything possible in doing so. The leader spoke at a meet in dark shads that telling what is to come under his leadership if he have that day. If the opposition do what’s right now they maybe can win Dominica but at the rate they are going is to just divide the country, guy you all have to come better than that and Linton if that’s part of your path of life then let it be and do not try to bully the present government because the people voted them in, (wait for your turn and in the time being be more progressive in your words and actions) for the betterment of the country…
I maybe read the Act wrongly, she’s saying that they have 14 clear days to write their question and is saying that they sent in their question’s 10 days before, i don’t understand so someone please explain…
I know! You wonder how some people make it from the chair to the bench.
Money is the order of the day boy..ppl ready to die instead of pass up their big Salary..All hag have their Saturday still.
It’s interesting how Keen the speaker is on this technicality, that a question requires 14 days notice but quite conveniently notice for parliament sitting could be less than 14 days..I mean is every rule handed down to us a sensible rule and that we must follow these rules into backwardness as the rest of the world moves forward?
It’s always good to pipi before you really want to go tho..
I say that is a bare-faced lie. All of us fear Death. We all want to live on this Earth.
No matter how much you pray and roll your rosary, deep down inside you don’t want to die.
And if you so brave and not afraid to die, why did you bring it up first thing in the parliament?
You begging for a security detail.
you will live forever fool
so true
Why would anyone want to harm such a loving, kind, fair, impartial, professional sweet woman? The contrary would be true.
I like that….I really like that….I really…really like that….
Keep on Speaking……
The Roaster will come home to Roost
14 years of batting for Skerritt. 14 years of protecting the government. 14 years of promoting a house of assemble that is like a talk shop.. 14 years and you never made it your duty to have the government answer questions on behalf of the state. You have never stood up for country hence allowing Skerritt and his kabal to run a mock in Dominica.
You as speaker and the present President are iundoubtedly among the most controversial citizens in Dominica.
..
Time to get out of the house. But don’t worry having failed in your capacity as speakers Dominicans are not impress so you will go out like the failed government.
It’s persons like you who got Dominica in so much trouble. …….
To be honest who cares bout those oppressors. Who cares
The time is coming when Dominicans…
GOd warned you all with erika that did not change you all at beat. I told you all many times I had dream don’t vote lenox as PM don’t let them in they no good.
It is all your views, please grow up , it is 2015 almost 2016, It is time we have democracy practiced in Dominica. We are tired of corruption, bobol and devious activities.
Lennox and his team are decent good government and governance people, you are scared if they get into office as decent government, the DLP have a lot question to answer and deeds to account for.
God Bless
Judging on the woman’s behavior, I would not be surprised death is afraid of her. If she is not afraid of death, far less for Mr. Linton, no wonder she is kicking him around like a football.
This is just a tactic this woman is using just forvthe labour party supporters to say is UWP supporters, this woman is notvto be trusted, before Erika 5they blamed earthquakes on Lennox and Fontaine, wonder why they did not blamed Erika on them too, now this bitch iscoming up with some cock and bull story about threat, she know that what she is doing is wrong, so shevis diverting the Dominican public attention to her stories, her guilt is what tormenting her, if uou are not fear of death, what have 24/7 security, Knight stop your hogwash talk and treat all members of the house equally
The evil that man/woman do shall follow them all the days of their lives… Fear not, the innocent continue to suffer……. God is not asleep…
Lady…….your own conscience is that is troubling you because you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING CANNOT BE RIGHT.One thing for sure is a fact…….you will not stay there forever. We have patient…..we will wait on GOD.
Mam, if you are a member of skeritt’s regime, and serve only the interest of skeritt; then you cannot escape the heat.
I get the impression she is only saying that because she wants 24 hr. security like the P.M. , including an armed escort when she is driving. She really has got too big for her boots and is full of self importance. Who would want to kill her? She is not important enough. We don’t even have eno0ugh sittings of Parliament to warrant her salary. Anyway, that is my opinion.
very troubled ma Moses by your opened expression not mind killing an important person .
go on madam go on. ,
But why should you fear death Madam? You are destined for Heaven, aren’t you?
Wha happen noh? All I hearing every day is abuse and abuse of women. A man kill his woman with a whole cylinder den a man chap-up his woman with a cutlass, and all dat woman abuse lower de rating of the unreal starring LL movie sequel. So de unreal LL starring decide dat to get back his ratings he muss join de abuse against woman. He start with de Baroness and did say a lot of nasty things about her and if he could knock her down with a whole cylinder he would-da do it. Then he turn on de Speaker and if he could-da chap her up with a cutlass he would-da do it. The unreal starring doh want any Dominican woman to achieve anyting in de world. He hate all true Dominican patriotic women dat smarter dan him. God bless all the mothers of our country and help them stay away from abusive men lik
e de LL unreal starring.
You sure you are not talking about yourself Jacco? And that LL really stand for Lang-Long??
Why should this lady fear death when she has to concentrate on her 111% salary raise, for her magnificent role of killing Dominica,. I wonder if this woman ever fears God. Maybe the only person she fears is Skerrit, who has her back in exchange for having his back.
Lady resign,you are too old ,enjoy your last days,I am not saying this in a nasty manner but i think it’s time for you to leave for someone else…
It is wrong to threaten her regardless of the fact that she is unfair and vindictive. Two wrongs do not make a right. You cannot fight evil with evil but good. God has given her the position therefore she will get her judgement accordingly, SOON.
All you got to do lady is step out of that chair, you are not the right person for that chair, you are bias. …Step downnn
Alice in de palace, No way, No way, Alice in de palace no way no way i say.
You have security 24/7 at your house in trafalgar and u don’t fear death.
@indira Ghandi!!!!!
POWERFUL WORDS!!!!
In the process they are destroying Dominica!
hmmmmmm whats all that got to do with it
Today I had one of the best “Labourite laughs” I’ve ever had in my life watching the handful of Uneducated Wicked People Supporter’s faces looking so disappointed and saddened at the poor turn out for a “meeting” at the Peebles Park in the Capital City of Roseau. As a loyal, dedicated and faithful Labourite I felt vindicated and strengthened by this blatant slap in the face of the “Novice” and his party members by their very own supporters. Listening to these coward supporters on their propaganda radio station one would believe that there would be hundreds if not thousands converging on the streets of Roseau ready to send a clear message to the Government that their party should be taken seriously. This was not to be however. Instead, what we witnessed was a few blind sheep looking absolutely forlorn and heartbroken wondering what happened to their support base in the last 11 months since election. The Uneducated Wicked People is finished as a party. Thank God!
Oh really, and it did not occur to you that the reason that the turn out was so low is because the so called uneducated UWP supporters are the ones that actually run the country and try to keep it afloat. We were at work darling. But it was very nice that you were available to go stand and witness, typical Laborite , always idle.
Lol who laugh last laugh the best.
My huge workers laugh.
Work we working. Our leaders handled their business. Hahahahahah
Police cannot even investigate a crime scene properly is you they studying. Lady you said you do not fear death why are you scared. stupesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. Take a rest
The Uneducated Wicked People in opposition should at least understand that when your own supporters refuse to come out to support and defend your cause you lose ALL credibility and viability as a political party. It was inevitable that this inept party would fall apart at the seams given the aloofness of their “novice” leader. A man who believes that big words and constantly haranguing, belittling and pursuing our Supreme Leader will endear him to the Dominican People and even win him some supporters from the “other” side. The right and honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit did not need to do anything to sweep aside this weak opposition. They began destroying themselves from day one when they chose to make their platform solely about attacking one man instead of being true “representatives” of the marginalized and disenfranchised within our society. This fight against the Speaker of the House has brought to life all the shortcomings of this failed party.
Some people are clearly brainwashed, as the devil can do no wrong.
Mrs. Knight, give thanks, fear not for your safety. It will be the safety of a mytherdome. Be bold and forthright in your judgments and do not be intimated by the forces of EVIL. We the silent majority stand in solidarity with you.
There clearly is a silent faction. Whether or not it is the majority remains to be seen. The silent and non-participatory citizens as well as the diaspora that flies in for elections are the ones that have let this country be brought down to the point where it now sits.
Mrs Knight, we love and appreciate you as Speaker of OUR House. I Danzi know that you are a STRONG WOMAN, Jalousy say on movay malady. May god bless you always.
Stuppessssss! Alix who wants to listen to you? Surely not me!
NO ONE ASKED YOU TOO, YOU CHOSE TO READ
Too to two. Go figure it out. You too are just like the speaker. Bias and unreasonable.
Mrs. Speaker, when was the opposition notified about this sitting of the house? If it is less than 14 days, how can you the describe the timing of their request as “late”?
Why didn’t you notify them in good enough time to allow them to submit the questions in a timely manner?
Woman,you are too vindictive.
you need to stop encouraging the p.m. to do what is wrong.
consider your age. You only have a few days left on this earth.
why dont you do what is right so you can have peace in your lest few dsys on earth
Do you realise soon you will no longer be able to walk much less be speaker.
consider your ways. Do what is right.