MP Apologises For ‘Unparliamentary Language”

March 12, 2014

MP Sylvan Richards apologised today [Mar 12] in the House of Assembly for using “unparliamentary language,” which according to the exchange appeared to have been the word “scumbuckets.”

It occurred during Monday’s [Mar 10] session, with Mr. Richards appearing to call out something while the Opposition was speaking.

Original exchange in the House of Assembly on Monday

This morning Speaker of the House Randy Horton said he gave Mr. Richards a warning in regard to the remarks which “ran afoul” of rules that say it is “out of order to use offensive, insulting or disrespectful language about Members of the House.”

Mr. Richards later stood to make a personal explanation, saying: “Mr. Speaker, according to standing order 1911-D, I ran afoul of the orders of this House on Monday when I used language which was unparliamentary.

“I apologize to you, Mr. Speaker, and all members of the House, for this regretful use of unparliamentary language. I am mindful of your warning and withdraw the unparliamentary language. It will not happen again. Thank you Mr. Speaker.”

Sylvan Richards’ apology in the House today:

It is not unusual for the Speaker to ask MPs to be mindful of language during debate.

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Comments (64)

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  1. I just want the film of the exchange….I want to see what bad-lip-reading .com can do with it.More to the point though occasionally we all say things our emotions let loose…this is a descriptive phrase…weather it is in fact a proper description or not we are all human beings and as such …have feelings…however…it is not a perminent description…it basically eminates as an emotion and as a response to ….well…the muck and mire we are all treading through from 14 years of social club mis-management.Erry time plp talk …it is like they are floating on a leaf ,lying on their collective backsides…talkin about…de-nial…nope …it’not just another river in Egyp!….Maddening denial….It’s soooo bad…people are apt to let a few expleatives go just thinking about it….scumbuckets is really quite nice…if you think about it.

    • Potty Mouth OBAers says:

      Why didn’t the speaker wrap Michael Dunkley for his “effin” remarks.

      I heard he’s bragging to have gotten away with it and have not apologized to all parties.

      • Trumps says:

        Sure…that is what he is bragging about to everyone. Ya right.

        Sylvan made his remarks during while speaking to the floor. Mr. Dunkley did not, he obviously didnt think his mic was one.

    • BETTTY TRUMP says:

      The OBAubp whom promised us they would do POLITICS DIFFERENTLY, have just proved today they are the same old UBP rearing their ugly heads once again. There is no CHANGE as promised pre-election by this OBAubp government. Today proves they will not change, regardless. Hope is gone now…. and never to return, believe it or not I did hope a little…for the betterment of Bermuda.

      This is a Government whom continues to display distasteful language and behavior in the House of Assembly and outside the house of Assembly. They have shown little if NO professionism during the debates. I have been in the house, and it is outright amazing. Today the Speaker just happen to hear it and call them out on it.

      It is unfortunate that UBPoba supporters will write comments to Excuse the behavior of their Party. Looks like things will not change in the near future.

      Mr. Richards is working hard to play in favor within the party, but soon he too will fall on his sword, as he did today. Mr. Richard seems to be following the leader, but falling down the cliff. He has disappointed me, I though he had a little bit of a brain, but guess not.

      • Mike Hind says:

        What a load of nonsense.
        Any excuse to trot out this line of ridiculous propaganda…

  2. I…in fact….have called them far worse names….and guess what?….I will not apologise.

    • ya right says:

      No Integrity “Sylvan Richards”. What a political disgrace. Thanks for nothing.

      • Mike Hind says:

        You’re joking, right?

        Saying “scumbuckets” makes him a “political disgrace”?

        You can’t be serious.

      • BETTTY TRUMP says:

        Yes Mr. Sylvan Richards have become a Political disgrace… several things have lower his ranking as a possible smart politician.

        He lacks knowledge, an inability to debate effectively and to present a bill & budget effectively on his Ministry in the House. He was not able to answer any questions in regards to the Ministry he read the budget about in the house. He was merely a robot reading blindly the document, but lack any real understanding of the information within the document. When asked about what he just presented, he was not able to give a reply. This was sheer painful to watch, more so listen too in the HOA. IT was more than shameful at best.

        Yes I think he has fallen on his sword, and fails to see the light at the end of the tunnel..

        • Mike Hind says:

          No, “Bettty”, YOU are a political disgrace.

          • BETTTY TRUMP says:

            Your reacting like Mr. Richards, when your called out… REALLY

            • Mike Hind says:

              That doesn’t even make sense.

              You’re just ranting now, “Bettty”.

              • Coffee says:

                Hi Betty , I’ve noticed that many posters do not engage OR encourage Mr.H . Strictly Out of politeness I’ve decided to follow their wisdom .

                • Mike Hind says:

                  Nah…

                  That’s not true and you know it.

                  Really, it’s ‘cuz you don’t actually have an answer to my questions and can’t bring yourself to face the truth when I point it out.

                  If you had an ounce of honesty, you’d engage me in conversation.

                  But you don’t. You just want to push your agenda.

                  So, here we are.

                  You’re going to continue pushing your lies and misinformation and propaganda and I’ll probably keep pointing out that that is exactly what your posts are and then you’ll run away with your tail between your legs when exposed as the lying propagandist that you are.

                  It’s what you and your ilk do.

        • X man says:

          Whats a few words’
          My PLP MP 1st cousin uses worse words than that …..
          My old neighbor a PLP Premiere said some pretty crude things too’
          This is exactly why were getting nothing done politically because your worrying about stuff
          like this — I have heard worse.
          Also a few off the wall words doesn’t make a person non intelligent after all look at all the stuff you
          say at times. – come on now!

  3. ABM says:

    Seems the Speaker said MP Richards did not say it…………..hmmmmmmmm. And who was that speaking on the first recording?

  4. Triangle Drifter says:

    “Scumbuckets!” Is that the worst you could come up with Sylvain? That is pretty mild compared to some of the names which have been hurled from the opposite side in the not too distant past.

  5. Jeez Louise says:

    Its okay man you are OBA – free passes all around – the PLP did it model applies here well…oh and God will forgive you most importantly. Also lets make sure that this doe’s not filter out to overseas media…we might not want anyone knowing what actually transpires in our hallowed parlimantary halls…that is possible in this internet age yes.

    And before you OBA diehards jump all over me please realize that I, to my core, am ashamed of both of these parties – one for what they have done to our country and the other for what they are attemping to do.

    • inna says:

      I agree. Death to party politics!!

      • BETTTY TRUMP says:

        Really Inna, you have now lost faith in your beloved OBAubp whom you defended regardless if right or wrong… I can not believe it !!! REALLY ….laughing…

  6. Rockfish#2 says:

    Why do our MPs(on BOTH sides) who claim to be intelligent mature people, act like childish fools when on the floor of the House of Assembly.

    They never do this when canvassing for our votes, why not?

    • Terry says:

      “Why do our MPs” ?
      Because they are being pushed to the limit by a majority of PLP members.
      It is a large scale ploy to creative division and contempt on the OBA. It is being done in the House and on the Net and in printed media.

      They are picking at everything and knowing they will get a response. That’s the purpose of the exercise. And it is working and will continue.

      If one says ‘no comment’ or I’ll get back et al’ it is propagandized as a lack of transparency, lies, coverup et al.

      PLP. The demon party who took the money and now grow grapes of wrath.

      Shalom.

      • Jeez Louise says:

        Terry I respect most things you say but you are letting your bias cloud your judgement – we should have our politicians – no matter what “party” aspire to better…this whole PLP caused this and is doing that argument is getting really old dude…
        Not that I like Ewart brown but if when he brushed aside topics he was taken to task…why not the same when Cannonier does it.

        Seriousl man look back through the things you have said on this site – you bias is BLINDING you bro. You are not realizing that two party politics never benefit society and never will. It only benefits the corporate and ultimately banking interests that directly or indirectly fund it all. Wake up and find the cause – stop treating the symptom.

  7. Unbelievable says:

    hahahah what a bunch of clowns. That recording sounds like a zoo.

    • eview says:

      Wow Sylvan R was my MP just wondering if he would have apologize without being prompted

      • Trumps says:

        I wouldnt. I personally do not see what the bid deal was.

  8. Mike Hind says:

    He should have said “If I called them scumbuckets, I’d be wrong, because they’re obviously not buckets.”

    • Hmmmmm says:

      woof woof…

    • Lil' onion gal says:

      THANKS FOR THE GIGGLE!

    • BDA says:

      Sylvan Richards is a pawn

      • Mike Hind says:

        Evidence?

        You guys keep pushing this message, but get REALLY defensive and/or evasive when asked for evidence.

        I wonder why that is…

    • Kangoocar says:

      Congrats Mike, that has to be one of the funniest posts in a long time!!!

  9. Hmmmmm says:

    He only said what they say in their meetings and what they really think. He should wonder what they say about him and the other BDA clowns when they’re not around.

    • Mike Hind says:

      “…what they really think.”?

      Who’s “they”?

      • Jeez Louise says:

        I think he means the OBA…

      • Hmmmmm says:

        “we” know who “they” are and we’ve always known. If you were part of “we” you would know who “they” are too. To quote your Premier: “there are two bermudas”.

        • Mike Hind says:

          So… no, then? You’re not going to explain?

          Your post really shows a commitment to equality and coming together as a nation. Well done. You’re part of the problem.

          (And he’s OUR Premier. Unless you’re not Bermudian. Is that what it is?)

          • Hmmmmm says:

            “Part of the Problem”? Your interest in “coming together” is amusing and bordering on offensive. When the toxic politics of pre-december 2012 was par for the course and led to the election of the OBA, remind me again what you said about people who were obviously also part of the problem. People who, unlike Mr. Richards, refuse to apologize for what they say to this day. And on the “our Premier” bit, if you claim them all then I’ll claim Cannonier.

            • Mike Hind says:

              Are you even REMOTELY kidding me?

              An interest in “coming together” and equality is offensive?

              Maybe to YOU, who lives in a “We vs. Them” world.

              “…remind me again what you said about people who were obviously also part of the problem.”

              I have no idea what you are talking about, neither the instance you’re referring to or the people you’re talking about.
              Would you care to elaborate on what you’re accusing me of?

              If you can do this, I’ll be able to look seriously at the deal you’re talking about in your last sentence.

              (As for toxic politics, if you can’t see that it was not only on both sides but WAY worse on yours, I don’t know what to tell you. There’s no equivalence when it comes to toxic politics… and the only way it led to the election of the OBA was that people were sickened by the hateful, dishonest and horrific things some awful PLP supporters were saying – not to mention the complete mismanagement of our country by the past few administrations – and decided to either not vote or vote for the OBA)

              So… care to explain your accusation, or will this be the usual from you?

  10. hold on says:

    its ok Sylvan we know that you are special no need to apologize. remember folks this is the same gentleman that eloquently uttered blackity black black black. he has a limited vocabulary and our expectations should be lowered accordingly.

    ps. blackity black black blackity black

    • Mike Hind says:

      Are we REALLY going to go back and pull up quotes?

      You SURE you want to go down that road?

      • Jeez Louise says:

        why not lets do it Mike – should be fun. To the unbiased it will prove the joke that are representatives are – to the Biases umongst us it will cause them to be butthurt…

        • Jeez Louise says:

          poop spelling – sorry I was rushing…

          • Barracuda says:

            Not just the spelling that’s poop mate .

        • Mike Hind says:

          I couldn’t agree more!
          They’re ALL jokes, for the most part.

          But don’t DARE mention that on here.
          The things they’ll say about you!

      • Robert says:

        Mike go bury your head in a book of folk music, you really are starting to bore me !!!!

        • Mike Hind says:

          There’s a VERY easy way to get around that.

          Don’t read my posts.

          That’s your only option. ‘Cuz guess what? Unless you’re the owner of this site, you don’t get to silence anyone.

          Actually, there is another option.
          You COULD engage me in a real, honest conversation.

          Any chance of that happening? Or will you just continue to take potshots from the safety of the hood of anonymity?

          I’m gonna guess the latter. Coward.

  11. Toodle-oo says:

    Coming soon … ‘Scumbucket-gate’

  12. Coffee says:

    What’s shameful about this is , some people either forget or have no idea of where they’ve come from . I think Sylvan falls in the latter group .

    • Jeez Louise says:

      I’m not sure where he comes from but I’m pretty sure where he’s going lol! – the lot of em’…

    • Mike Hind says:

      Meaning?

      • dinosaurmedia says:

        You are smarter than that no? or you work very hard at trying to be…

        • Mike Hind says:

          I love how you guys never actually have the courage to say the things you hint about.
          It’s always nebulous and vague with deniability.

          It’s almost like you KNOW, deep down, that it’s an awful thing to say, but your need to push a political agenda forces you to try to get it out.

          Why not just be honest instead? Why not have an ounce of integrity and stand behind your position?

  13. Robert says:

    I dont recall an apology for the “house n*****” remark from the then plp govt !!

  14. Robert says:

    But scumbag is just as offensive

    • Mike Hind says:

      Scumbag (or bucket) is just as offensive as “House N*****”?

      Seriously?

  15. Need Peace says:

    How funny will it be WHEN the OBA makes you eat your words?!!

    • haha says:

      how funny it will be when you eat your words and cryin on the side of the road…haha

  16. Unbelievable says:

    Remember that time Derrick Burgess called Louise Jackson “auntie” in the HoA?

    I don’t recall him apologising.

    And please do not tell me that’s some cute old-time Bermudianism.

  17. Buddy says:

    Sylvan is really taking himself too seriously. He is very self-absorbed and suffers from self-hate. He struggles to find the balance of being a simple humble black bermudian male and a pretentious sycophantic wannabe white boy. Thats hard work for him. I really get disgusted when i read his ranting. Get off of the soap box