Rowe takes chair as Deputy Speaker for first time since acquittal

Neil Rowe, MP for St Michael North West, took the Speaker’s chair on Tuesday for the first time since his rape acquittal in May, following his reappointment as Deputy Speaker earlier this month.

As the House prepared to begin official proceedings, it was announced by the Clerk of Parliament, Pedro Eastmond, that Speaker Arthur Holder SC was absent and that Rowe would be the presiding officer for the day’s sitting.

Earlier this month, St Thomas MP Cynthia Forde’s sudden resignation from the post of Deputy Speaker was disclosed. A formal nomination followed from the Leader of Government Business and Deputy Prime Minister, Santia Bradshaw, that Rowe once again serve in the vacant position.

Following his acquittal in the high-profile criminal matter, the MP made headlines after alleging that he was “set up”.

He told reporters outside the Supreme Court: “Like I said from the beginning, even before I was charged, I knew that I was being set up for a crime that I did not commit. I said that then, and I would say it again now, that I knew I was set up for a crime that I did not commit.” (IMC)