There were verbal clashes between Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne and Opposition senator, K.D. Knight, in Gordon House yesterday.

The two were participating in the first meeting of a joint select committee to examine a critical piece of legislation that will repeal the Police Public Complaints Act.

The verbal sparring ensued after Knight said Lightbourne, who chairs the committee, "fumbled" through her presentation on the proposed law.

The bill is intended to establish an independent commission, which will have responsibility for investigating police shootings and abuses by members of the security forces.

Lightbourne commented on the provisions of the Independent Commission of Investigations Act, 2008, before she asked committee members to make their input.

Knight's criticism of how Lightbourne presented the contents of the bill triggered asharp exchange between the two senior parliamentarians.

Knight chastised

Rejecting the suggestion that she fumbled through her presentation, Lightbourne chastised Knight for his comment, calling it "very offensive".

"I'll ask you as we start the proceedings that you behave yourself," she said. "Stop grand-standing and playing to the press."

But Knight insisted that Lightbourne mishandled the presentation.

During further deliberations, it was proposed by some committee members that stakeholders such as the Jamaican Bar Association, the Advocates Association, human rights groups, the Police Federation and the Jamaica Civil Service Association be invited to participate in the talks.

However, Knight raised a concern that later led to another stand-off between himself and Lightbourne.

Public input risky

He argued that it might not be a good idea to invite civil servants or other persons in the Government's employ to participate in the discussions.

"It is dangerous to invite them to publicly speak on this bill," Knight said, adding that they might be against the policy.

He said these persons should have been part of the ministry team that reviewed the bill, before it was sent to Cabinet for approval.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding directed his cabinet secretary to remind public officers that the Staff Orders restricts them from commenting publicly on government policy.