Barbados Parliament votes to remove Deputy Speaker amidst sex-related charges
Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley has supported the removal of Neil Rowe from his role as the deputy speaker of the Parliament.
The decision, she explained, will allow Rowe to address a legal matter currently before the High Court.
Facing trial over allegations
Last September, Magistrate Deidre McKenna ruled that Mr. Rowe should stand trial in the High Court.
The charge against him alleges that in September 2022, he engaged in sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent, or was reckless as to whether she consented.
Unanimous decision by the ruling Barbados Labour Party
The ruling Barbados Labour Party, which commands all 30 seats in the Parliament, convened yesterday to deliberate on the matter.
During the session, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business, Santia Bradshaw, tabled a motion to revoke Mr. Rowe’s appointment as deputy speaker.
The motion was passed unanimously, resulting in Neil Rowe’s removal from his position.
