PNM won't take action against MPs for defying orders and voting with Manning

The People's national Movement (PNM) decided Saturday that it will not take disciplinary action against MPs who defied the party's instructions and voted with former PNM leader Patrick Manning Friday in a motion in which Manning sought to have his lawyer question witnesses at the Privileges Committee.

Manning is to appear before the committee with respect to statements he made about the private residence of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

On Friday he asked the House of Representatives to approve a motion to allow his lawyer to question witness at the hearing. However his own party had disagreed with the motion and the caucus was instructed to abstain in the vote.

However three MPs - Patricia Mc Intosh, Dr Amery Browne and Fitzgerald Jeffrey - defied the party and voted with Manning. Two others left the chamber before the vote was taken.

PNM Chairman Franklyn Khan tried to get the party to invoke disciplinary action against them at a meeting of the General Council Saturday, but the party's decision making body turned it down.

The Sunday Guardian said there was a heated debate on the matter with Mc Intosh being very vocal in her support of Manning. The paper said Jeffrey also stood by his decision.

The paper cited unnamed sources as saying that party leader Dr Keith Rowley did not comment during the meeting. The paper said its sources noted that there are issues within the PNM "but at this time political healing is the most important factor.”