“The minister declared that the decision was taken collectively,” Dr Sant wrote.

He added that the executive head of the ADT had already stated that the same decision was conveyed to him by Mr Mugliett and that the decision was implemented, although the head did not agree with it.

Last Friday, 6 July, Dr Sant added in his letter, the chairman of the ADT had a letter published in The Times declaring that he and his colleagues on the ADT board had nothing to do with the decision taken and they did not agree with it.

“Minister Mugliett lied to parliament last Monday (2 July) in the clearest manner,” Dr Sant wrote to the Speaker.

In every parliamentary democracy, he added, such behaviour is not tolerated. For a government minister to lie barefacedly to parliament amounts not only to disrespect of parliament but is an affront to democracy.

Pointing out the Speaker’s duties as laid down by the Speaker’s Office, Dr Sant asked to be told what action the Speaker intended to take vis-à-vis Mr Mugliett.