The United Progressive Party (UPP) strongly condemned Tuesday’s Senate clash involving Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle.

The dispute happened during the Throne Speech on May 26, 2026. However, tensions quickly grew inside Parliament.

According to the UPP, Senate President Alincia Williams-Grant refused to allow Pringle to sit in the chamber. She said he had not yet taken the Oath.

However, the Party argued that Parliament had already invited Pringle to attend the sitting.

The UPP pointed to a May 14 letter from the Clerk to Parliament. The letter addressed Pringle as “Honourable Member.”

In addition, the letter invited him to attend “for the dispatch of such business as may be necessary.”

The Party also said the Oath for a new member is usually handled by the Clerk.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chester Hughes tried to address the President during the dispute. However, Williams-Grant refused to allow him to speak.

As a result, the four Opposition Senators walked out of the chamber.

Hughes later described the President’s action as politically partisan. He argued that a Government MP would likely have received different treatment.

Furthermore, Hughes questioned why the Attorney-General spoke during the sitting. He noted that the Attorney-General has no primacy in the Senate.

At the same time, Hughes insisted Parliament can make its own rules. Therefore, he rejected claims that the process followed practices in Trinidad and Tobago.

The UPP also accused the Senate President and Government members of colluding against the Opposition.

According to the Party, the move aimed to embarrass Pringle and humiliate the UPP.

In conclusion, the Opposition warned that democracy is now under threat.