House Speaker Dr. Kendal Major on Wednesday ordered that Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller’s recent remarks on the man whom he claims had his son killed be expunged.

On August 12, Mr. Miller expressed his disappointment in the judicial system, noting that his son’s suspected killer was still free.
His son, Mario, 28, was found dead near the Super Value food store in Winton in 2002.

He was stabbed up to 22 times and his body left in bushes.

Mr. Miller’s comments were widely published in the media.

Dr. Major called the comments “disappointing.”

“I was disappointed that a private citizen with no recourse to justice was defamed and as a result of this occurrence and upon reflection, I feel a moral sense of duty to make amends, notwithstanding that the damage was done,” he said.
“Consequently, I do hereby order that the statement made by the honourable member for Tall Pines with respect to the highlighting of the name of the individual be expunged from the records of this House.”

The speaker added, “What is said in this House is always kept on some public record. When the chair orders an expungement, it not only speaks to the prohibition of the expunged words being cited in the press, but it also removes the offending words from the official records.”

Parliamentarians have immunity while in the House – a privilege not given to ordinary citizens.
The speaker said he does not want to see that privilege abused.

He expressed his disappointment in the media for publishing the MP’s statements and warned that if they are ever published again it would be a direct sign of disrespect to the speaker.

Dr. Major said Mr. Miller does not have to address the issue any further.

However, he said if Mr. Miller feels the need to clarify his words, he has the opportunity to do so.