a leading role to protest about being barred from the House of Assembly last week.

He was due to speak in the debate on Works and Engineering on Friday.

Shadow Legislative Affairs spokesman John Barritt told the House yesterday that Mr. Woolridge could have spoken because his one-day ban, handed out after a verbal spat with Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb , had expired.

Mr. Barritt said: "I would also like to make it clear today why we as an Opposition did not participate in the debate on the estimates for Works and Engineering.

"It was in support of our colleague, a senior member of this Honourable House.

"Mr. Woolridge was ordered to withdraw from these chambers by yourself Sir, as speaker, after he was provoked by a personal attack from the Honourable Member Ms Renee Webb whose remarks he found offensive.

"Regrettably only Mr. Woolridge was called up for his remarks and the remarks of the other member, and indeed the entire incident which led to Mr.

Woolridge's withdrawal remains unaddressed.'' "We sympathise not only with Mr. Woolridge but share in his frustration at what has happened.''