Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Oquaye, has stated that the standards for the selection of research assistants for members of parliament will not be lowered.

Prof Oquaye told MPs in the chamber on Thursday, 14 June that: “Parliament, as an institution, is not going to compromise over that standard. It doesn’t matter how closely related that person is to you, it is not a matter of what you want only but what you want together with what will promote the work of parliament as an institution.”

MPs are expected to have research assistants who have a minimum academic qualification of second class honours, but some of the MPs argue that loyalty and trust should outweigh academic qualifications in the selection process.

The Speaker has directed the clerks of parliament to issue appointment letters to only applicants who meet the standard minimum qualification by next Wednesday, 20 June.