Manning back home; Rowley absent among welcoming supporters

Patrick Manning walks among supporters at Piarco airport. (Guardian photo)

Patrick Manning got an enthusiastic welcome from a PNM crowd when he returned home Tuesday night from Washington DC, where he had been receiving treatment for a stroke he suffered at his home in San Fernando in January.

The former prime minister walked with the help of a cane. And his wife, Hazel, assisted him. Media reports said he spoke clearly but supporters were unable to hear him because he did not have a mike.

Manning's was, Brian, headed the welcoming team, which included his sister Petronella Manning-Alleyne, MPs Dr Amery Browne and Alicia Hospedales. Former Manning cabinet members Dr Emily Dick-Forde, Gary Hunt, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and former senator Laurel Lezama were also there.

However the leader of the PNM, Keith Rowley, and other MPs were absent. Browne said Manning told him that he is happy to be home.