Rowley welcomes probe of Manning but warns against 'persecution'

Keith Rowley is not bothered by any investigation into his former boss, Patrick Manning.

commenting on reports of an investigation of the former Prime Minister, the opposition leader said: "As far as I am concerned that is how the matter should be dealt with."

He added, "Clearly, there are questions there to be answered and clarifications to be sought.

"And to the extent that information has been made public recently about the position of persons who claim to have knowledge of how the project came into being and was being managed, and the involvement of UDeCOTT and other personnel, the investigatory route is the way to go."

Rowley told the Trinidad Express the church issue is one of great national interest. He said the possible involvement of a State enterprise and a senior public official "confirms that it needs to be examined and the only way to treat with these things is through proper process."

He noted that since Manning’s name is being called and "on the issue of integrity one can vouch for no one but oneself. So persons in that situation are required to treat with the investigators from their own personal knowledge and involvement."

He said investigators ought to look into the broader issue of the role of UDeCOTT since the report of the Uff Commission of Enquiry recommended a probe of Hart and the whole management of UDeCOTT and its board.

"If the process results in prosecution of individuals who are culpable, then so be it. What we do not want is persecution. There is a big difference between persecution and prosecution," he said.

"Good process sometimes leads to prosecution. Let the investigation continue. I trust that all persons who are useful to the investigators will co-operate with the investigators and we will get the final outcome," Rowley said.