Kamla wants Manning before Privileges Committee

Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Wednesday asked the Speaker of the House of Representatives to haul Prime Minister Patrick Manning before Parliament's Privileges Committee for statements Manning made last Friday in the House.

Manning alleged that Persad-Bissessar had bought one of the Montano stores on High Street, San Fernando "under conditions that appear to be dubious". Persad-Bissessar immediately denied that.

"At no time have I ever purchased a store or any property in San Fernando" she stated.

"Moreover, having described the alleged transaction as having been conducted ’under conditions that appear to be dubious’, the member was making an untrue imputation of conduct against me," she told Barry Sinanan.

The UNC leader said, "There are valid reasons to question whether by his slanderous statements, the Honourable Member for San Fernando East has committed a breach of privilege and/or contempt of the House of the Representatives by:

• deliberately misleading the House when the member knew or ought to have known that the statement was untrue
• imputing improper motives to me

She wants the committee to examine "to take appropriate measures to enquire into and punish the offence in a proper manner".

Sinanan is "considering the matter" and has promised a ruling "later on".