House Deputy Speaker hospitalized with concussion

Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Sylvanus Petty suffered a concussion during a scuffle between police and Opposition members of parliament this morning.

Petty will remain in hospital overnight for observation. A police officer was also treated in hospital after sustaining a leg injury. He was discharged and given five days off from work to recover.

Prime Minister Philip Davis said he believes FNM Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright’s decision to throw the mace out of the window of the House of Assembly was a “planned and coordinated assault”. He also denounced the “puerile antics” by the opposition after House Speaker Patricia Deveaux did not allow Opposition Leader Michael Pintard to speak in Parliament following a communication by Davis.

After Cartwright threw the mace out of the window, it landed on Junkanoo bleachers being erected in Parliament Square. It was quickly retrieved by police officers and returned to the House.