Senate President Alincia Williams-Grant ordered Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle to withdraw from Tuesday’s joint sitting of Parliament after ruling that he had not taken the constitutionally required oath of allegiance for participation in the proceedings.

The issue surfaced shortly after the sitting convened, prompting Williams-Grant to apologise for the delayed start as she addressed members of both Houses and invited guests.

“It was drawn to my attention while I was in Chamber that there is a Member in the House who has not taken the oath of allegiance,” Williams-Grant said, adding that she had attempted to raise the matter privately before the sitting began.

She said despite being informed of the issue beforehand, Pringle still entered the chamber, forcing her to make a formal ruling publicly.

Williams-Grant stated that under the constitutional provisions governing Parliament, members are not permitted to participate in proceedings until the oath is taken.

“I’m asking the honourable gentleman to remove himself from this proceedings this morning in this House,” she said during the joint sitting.

Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin supported the ruling, telling the chamber that the Constitution was “particularly clear” on the requirement for members of either House to take the oath of allegiance before taking part in formal proceedings.

Benjamin said every member participating in the sitting had already taken the oath and argued that any member who had not done so could not legally participate until the process was completed.

“Those two Members will not be able to take part in any proceedings in this House… until the oath is overtaken,” Benjamin said during his contribution.

Pringle quietly left the parliament accompanied by opposition Senators.