A Liberal MHA lashed out at a PC backbencher in the legislature yesterday for sharing what she saw as a threatening post in one of the most heated sittings of the House in a long time.
Lake Melville MHA Keith Russell shared a Facebook post that, in essence, contained some harsh language which Mount Scio MHA Sarah Stoodley took as threatening.
The post widely shared by various political groups and individuals
Saying that he did not mean anything by sharing the post, he removed it a couple of minutes after it went up.
The issue was raised as a point of privilege by Mount Scio MHA Sarah Stoodley.
“The post stated that ‘every Liberal MHA in Newfoundland and Labrador deserves a good shit-knocking for considering signing that MOU,” said Stoodley.
Stoodley asked if it is the position of the member to advocate violence.
MHA Keith Russell (NL HoA/YouTube)
MHA Russell took great exception to the criticism.
“Not a couple of minutes went by when I realized that’s not appropriate for me to be sharing. I took that down. But what’s on trial here? My sense of humor? What’s next? (My) Religion? No freedom of speech? My sense of humor cannot be judged. It is mine and it’s rightfully mine,” he said in the House of Assembly.
“Humor and the ability to laugh at ourselves and each other has been the cornerstone of this province and our heritage because nobody tells a joke like a Newfoundlander and a Labradorian.”
