The National Assembly, in reaction to an earlier editorial piece published on The Point Newspaper, captioned: "LIVE UP TO THE TITLE "HONOURABLE", has dispatched a press release countering the theme of that write up. Below we reproduce the full text of the release.
“The National Assembly wishes to make clarification on the editorial of The Point Newspaper of Tuesday 16th September 2008, captioned: "LIVE UP TO THE TITLE ‘HONOURABLE’" The publication has done great disservice to the national assembly.
The general public is hereby informed that the National Assembly has always and will always stand to protect the dignity and integrity of the state as enshrined in the constitution and the standing orders of the Assembly. The National Assembly has even gone further by developing a code of conduct for members, which was tabled before the whole House and unanimously approved.
The National Assembly would like to inform the general public that The Point Newspaper editorial was indeed malicious and very misleading, as it tarnishes the good image of the Assembly and failed to honour the up-keep which has been built on dedication, commitment and hard work over the years. The fact that a member of the Assembly was involved in acts contrary to the laws of The Gambia does not mean that the Assembly is not a credible institution.
Whosoever is engaged in any wrongful act or behaves in such a manner that is not in conformity with the law, the person must face the full force of the law; be it a National Assembly member or not. Finally, the National Assembly under the stewardship of the honourable speaker, Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, would like to assure H.E, The President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh, of its continued support and loyalty.
The National Assembly would not and would never associate itself with anything that would destroy or tarnish the good name of the government of the Republic of The Gambia.’