Manning supports Rowley, has no plans to unseat PNM leader

Patrick Manning supports Dr Keith Rowley as Opposition Leader and has not been involved in any moves to unseat him.

That's the word from Manning in response to the story carried in the Sunday Express speculating that there is a plan for Manning to replace Rowley as Opposition Leader.

Below responded to the newspaper in a media release in which he stated that he willingly agreed and signed a letter to the President in support of Rowley as the Leader of the Opposition.

"I encouraged and urged the San Fernando East constituency of the PNM to nominate Dr Rowley as party leader at the Special Convention dealing with this matter. They did so. I did this to indicate very early the position that I intended to establish in the future as well as to dispel any doubts that I wanted either of these positions," the former Prime Minister stated.

He noted that he has attended each sitting of the Parliament and has supported the positions taken by the parliamentary team led by Dr Rowley, adding that he has "studiously avoided the limelight and not sought to upstage Dr Rowley at any time".

He was emphatic that he continues to be "a loyal and committed" member of the PNM who is loyal to Rowley, who "has been elected in accordance with the party's constitution".

He also made it clear that he opposes the idea of having one person as leader of the Opposition and another as leader of the party.

"Let me also make it quite clear that I have neither approached any of my colleagues in the party, nor any single party member, in support of unseating Dr Rowley and I do not intend to allow my name to be used by persons, including the media, associated with the acts of treachery involved in undermining the Political Leader," Manning said.