Speaker of Parliament, Doctor Jiko Luveni had to stand up in parliament today to stop Opposition Whip, Ratu Isoa Tikoca from going ahead with a personal explanation.
Luveni had earlier given time to Tikoca to make a personal explanation.
She had said that a member may explain a matter of personal nature only with the permission of the Speaker which was given.
Luveni said she had requested Tikoca to see the written copy of the personal statement before deciding to allow the explanation to proceed.
This is to ensure that they are appropriate.
According to parliamentary procedures, the member of parliament granted the privilege to make such a statement may not depart from the agreed text, the personal explanations must be brief and can be used to set the record straight.
It cannot be used to make political points or make allegations.
Tikoca deviated from the original text and the Speaker had to intervene to stop his statement.