Manning ready to break silence "in defence of a nation under siege"

File: Patrick Manning during his long protest walk from Port of Spain to San Fernando

Patrick Manning is holding a media conference Friday to speak about what he says is a "nation under siege".

The former prime minister issued a media release Thursday inviting the media to his news conference at his San Fernando East constituency.

Manning has been facing severe criticism for his handling of the Culture Ministry scholarships. 

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told Legislators during the budget debate that Manning instructed the minister of Community Development Minister to handle the scholarship matter "quietly.

Persad-Bissessar also released the contents of a report by the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) on allegations of discrimination and other breaches of the Financial Assistance (Scholarships) Programme in the Manning PNM government.

Manning said he will break his silence “in defence of a nation under siege." He noted that after 18 months in Opposition “it is time to critically examine what has taken place in Trinidad and Tobago.” 

He added that after more than 40 years in political, with 12 years as prime minister, he is “prepared to defend the nation at whatever cost.”

Manning said said the media conference “is centred on ensuring that citizens are made aware and to place the country on high alert of the fate that lies before us.” 

He added: “The siege which has been epitomised by the present Government must end.” 

Manning has been remained silent in parliament except for a few occasions when his comments put him in serious trouble. On one occasion he made unsubstantiated comments about the private residence of Persad-Bissessar. he was later suspended from Parliament for his remarks.

He staged a seven-day walk from the Parliament, Port of-Spain, to his San Fernando constituency to protest his suspension. It was a lonely walk; the leadership of his party did not support him.

Earlier this month, he dared the Government to arrest him and the former executive chairman of Urban Development Corporation of T&T, Calder Hart for alleged wrong-doing.