ST GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC):

Speaker George McGuire Monday defended his decision to evict Opposition Leader Dr Keith Mitchell from the House of Representatives two months ago.

McGuire was also critical of the decision by the former prime minister to table a motion of no confidence against him as well as the walkout by three opposition legislators in protest at Mitchell's expulsion.

Mitchell was evicted in July for ignoring a ruling by the Speaker and McGuire said his decision was in accordance with the Standing Orders.

He said as a parliamentarian with 25 years experience, Mitchell should have known better.

"It is my firm conclusion that the motion filed by the Leader of the Opposition at the last sitting of the House was one of malicious intent not worthy of an Honourable Member of the Parliament of Grenada," McGuire said in a prepared statement.

The controversy erupted during debate on a government motion to borrow EC$40 million (US$14.8 million) from local banks for current expenditure.