Progressive Labour Party backbencher Rolfe Commissiong was ordered to leave the House of Assembly during a debate after talking while another MP was on his feet.

Speaker of the House Randy Horton made the order after issuing several warnings to MPs about cross talking.

After leaving the chamber, Mr Commissiong acknowledged that he had said something “innocuous”, adding that the Speaker appeared to be under a good deal of pressure.

“Certainly the Government is not happy with the fact that we have been successful in bringing this motion to move this whole issue to a bipartisan framework via a parliamentary joint select committee.

“I made a comment, which was somewhat of an innocuous comment. The Speaker was in a stressful situation and for the second time objected — I had earlier made an off-the-cuff comment to a colleague — and he told me to leave.

“Obviously I’m hoping that we can restore a healthy relationship moving forward.”