Accra, July 15, GNA- Parliament on Tuesday accepted the apology rendered by the Director-General (D-G) of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Mr William Ampem-Darko to Mr Kobina Tahir Hammond Member of Parliament (MP) for Adansi Asokwa and the entire members of the House. A report of the Committee of Privileges on the investigation into the complaint against the Director-General of GBC in a matter relating to a breach of Parliamentary privilege recommended to the House to accept the apology.

Mr Doe Adjaho, Chairman of the Committee, noted that during the appearance at the meeting, Mr Ampem-Darko was truly apologetic and was not in any way prepared to defend his conduct on the day of the incident.

He said the Committee was minded to take this position because of the timing of the apology and the demeanour of Mr Ampem-Darko, when he appeared before the Committee.

The Committee also recommended that the terms and the contents of the apology be cleared with the Committee prior to its publication. Mr Doe Adjaho said after listening to Mr K.T Hammond and Mr Ampem-Darko, the Committee observed that the tape recording of the incident only recorded the verbal assault by the D-G of GBC against Mr Hammond and MP's generally.

The Committee, he said, noted among other things that Mr Ampem-Darko did use an Akan expression in his verbal attack on Mr Hammond and members generally, which translated meant "stupid" and went further to state that if he had wanted to enter Parliament, he could have done so as an independent candidate.

The Committee also found out that the conduct of Mr Ampem-Darko was a direct reaction to the statement made by Mr Hammond on the floor of the House to the effect that he should be dismissed. It would be recalled that the complaint of the MP for Atwima Mponua, Mr Isaac Asiamah on March 26, drew the attention of the House to comments made by the D-G within the precincts of parliament, against Mr Hammond and MP's in general.

Mr Asiamah said the act constituted a breach of Parliamentary privilege, since the verbal attack occurred after the member had discharged his constitutional duties and was on his way out of the House.

The complaint drew attention of the House to provisions of the Standing Orders of Parliament and invited the Speaker, to refer the matter to the relevant Committee for investigations.