Don't visit my father to score cheap political points: Brian Manning

Brian Manning said Wednesday some politicians are trying to see his ailing father to score "cheap political points".

The son of former prime minister Patrick Manning made the comments at a media briefing at his father’s office on Coffee Street, San Fernando.

Manning was highly critical of politicans who “maligned” his father during his political career yet come to see his “demise” to run to the media to make statements. “Some politicans playing games,” he said.

One of Manning's arch-rivals, former prime minister Basdeo Panday visited Manning at the San Fernando General Hospital Tuesday with his politicians daughter, Mickela, who wished "uncle Manning" a speedy recovery. Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma has also visited Manning.

Manning said former minister of Commmunity Development Joan Yuille-Williams is the only authorised person to speak on the family’s behalf. He promised daily updates on his father’s condition.

The younger Manning also praised Health Minister Dr Faud Khan who visited the former PM at the High Dependency Ward. 

“I would like to publicly thank him for everything he has done to make my father’s stay there as comfortable as possible and the family’s stay as comfortable as possible,” he said. “Dr Faud Khan, you are doing an excellent job.” 

Manning stated that his father is doing “extremely well,” excplaining that he has regained some mobility on his right side and is speaking some words.

He condemned the "media circus" that has been created since his father fell ill and was taken to hospital Monday night. “It becomes extremely challenging and I think we can all understand that everyone has a right to privacy, even our public figures and not just privacy, a right to some peace and quiet," he said.