Member of Parliament for Suame Constituency has questioned the authority of the Speaker of Parliament to unilaterally set up a committee to investigate the chaos that erupted during the sitting of the Appointments Committee.

According to John Darko, such a move is not grounded in the Constitution or Parliament’s Standing Orders.

In an interview on Joy FM's Top Story on Monday, February 3, Mr. Darko argued that the Speaker overstepped his authority by reconstituting the Appointments Committee and now setting up another committee without due parliamentary procedure.

He pointed out that when the Speaker initially reconstituted the Appointments Committee, members of the majority did not recognise his authority and proceeded to vet the minister regardless.

Read also: Committee probing parliamentary chaos to start public hearings from Feb. 5

"The Speaker is not the House. Our Standing Orders clearly state in Order 362 that it is the House, through a motion, that may appoint a special or ad hoc committee to investigate matters of public importance. The Speaker cannot unilaterally establish a committee. There has been no motion in the House regarding this, so this decision is not valid," Mr. Darko asserted.

This comes after the Speaker of Parliament has set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the chaos that occurred during the Appointments Committee's sitting on Thursday, 30th January.

The committee is expected to start a public hearing on February 5.

The disruption arose from a disagreement between the minority and majority over the further vetting of ministerial nominees, which escalated into a physical altercation, damaging tables and microphones.

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The Speaker has since suspended four MPs believed to have incited the disturbances: three from the minority and one from the majority.

According to Mr Darko, the Speaker by setting up this committee is arrogating to himself powers he doesn't have.

The lawmaker further criticised the Speaker’s directive that no member appointed to the committee could refuse participation.

"What kind of Republic are we building? Members are being forced to serve on a committee without their consent. This is not how a democratic system operates," he added.

Mr. Darko warned that such actions could set a dangerous precedent and undermine the principles of governance in the country.

He reaffirmed that members of the Majority Caucus would not participate in the Speaker’s committee, stating, "Our members will not be part of it."