SPEAKER of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini yesterday sent Mazabuka Central UPND member of parliament Gary Nkombo out of the Chamber for being improperly dressed.

Nkombo wore a grey, round neck traditional shirt.

Nkombo was sent out after Deputy Chief whip Tutwa Ngulube rose on a point of order, wondering whether the opposition member of parliament was in order to remain in the Chamber despite being inappropriately dressed.

“Thank you Mr Speaker for according me this opportunity to rise on this very important point of order and I apologise most sincerely to my father in law, the honourable member of parliament for Nkeyema. Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from this House whether the honourable member of parliament for Mazabuka Central, honorable Gary Nkombo, who is a seasoned member of this House, he has come improperly dressed when he fully knows the dress code for this House. Is he in order to remain in this Chamber when he is not properly dressed Mr Speaker? I need your urgent and serious ruling on this matter,” said Ngulube who is also Kabwe Central PF member of parliament.

And in his ruling, Dr Matibini said Nkombo was without a scarf and therefore upheld the point of order.

“Honourable members, the relevant rule is in 165(1) of the standing orders, 2016 of course. And it reads as follows, ‘the official dress for male members of parliament shall be a formal suit, a pair of long trousers, a shirt, a tie and jacket, toga or safari suit with the following, long or short sleeves and a scarf or tie’. If I admitted what honourable G.G Nkombo MP is wearing, I would consider it more a safari suit but the challenge, no scarf. No scarf, that’s the difficulty I have. I have been reflecting over this matter for a while. So I uphold the point of order raised by the Deputy Chief Whip. I am sure Hon Nkombo you know the consequences of my ruling,” said Dr Matibini.