Patrick Manning is alive and well

File: Patrick Manning gets an enthusiastic welcome on his return home from the US
where he received treatment for the stroke he suffered in January 2012

JYOTI has confirmed from several highly reliable sources that former Prime Minister Patrick Manning is alive and well. Some rumours have been circulating on the Internet stating that Manning had died. And many confused people have been asking if it is true.

Our checks revealed that Mr Manning is fine. And a colleague had this note on facebook:

"I SPOKE WITH MR. MANNING MYSELF A SHORT WHILE AGO...HE'S JUST FINE AND SOUNDING QUITE JOLLY...WISHING YOU A SPEEDY RECOVERY MR. MANNING."

Mr. Manning told TV6 News by telephone, "I am fine. I am fine and doing well." 

The rumour started late evening when a man called a television talk show and announced that the former PM had died. Manning told local media that triggered non-stop phone calls to his home.

“This country just stopped for five minutes," he told Newsday. "After the rumour started the phone began to ring almost non-stop, we must have taken about 30 calls in a few minutes. People were calling from all over to enquire whether I was okay.”

Manning suffered a stroke in January 2012. He remains the MP for San Fernando East but has been on medical leave since he fell ill.