MPs face “immediate suspension” from Parliament if they continue to flout orders of Parliamentary conduct.

Telling legislators he had earlier felt reluctant to issue a formal rebuke, Speaker of the House Randy Horton said he had growing concerns in recent weeks about MPs’ behaviour.

“It is a concern, I believe, that is shared by many Members and the general public,” he added, saying last week’s session had “driven” him to make the statement.

MPs during last Friday’s sitting of the House were repeatedly reined in by the Speaker, and an Opposition police complaint came in the wake of a fracas in the House foyer.

Although no particular Member was named, he said that MPs were under a microscope, and that there had been an expectation that “dishonourable conduct” would cease.

MPs should be standard bearers for leadership in Bermuda, he said.

“I emphasise, our young people and our senior citizens in particular are watching us; our schools and our churches are watching us; business leaders, local and international, are watching us,” Mr Horton continued. “Potential investors are watching us. The world is now watching us.”

Legislators should set an outstanding example for youth and future generations, he said.

“Are we living up to those expectations? Much too often, I submit, we fall short.”

Mr Horton called for courtesy, tolerance, patience and respect, adding: “Even for those whose views may widely differ from our own.”

He concluded: “The time is now. The House Standing Orders are very clear.”

The previous week’s session was marked by a pointed reading of the Orders, but the sitting nonetheless closed when the Speaker cut off debate due to background chatter.

MPs who continued to disregard the rules risked “immediate suspension from the House of Assembly”, the Speaker said, adding: “Enough is enough.”

Mr Horton’s stern words came at the opening of Friday’s session.

Also see The Royal Gazette’s In our Opinion, “A political pantomime”.