Speaker to decide Manning's fate Friday

The Speaker of the House of Representatives is expected to rule Friday today on Government’s call for former Prime Minister Patrick Manning to be taken before Parliament’s Privileges Committee.

Works and Transport Minister asked the House on Wednesday to take action against Manning for making what he called false and malicious accusations against Prime Ministrer Kamla Persad-Bissessar in connection with a house that Persad-Bissessa is building in South Trinidad.

Warner said Manning violated Parliament’s Standing Orders by imputing improper motive on Persad-Bissessar’s part and committed contempt of Parliament by “deliberately and wilfully misleading the House”.

Read the story: Warner asks HOR to send Manning to Privileges Committee


Manning's comments were made during his contribution to the debate on the Intercept of Communication Bill. The debate continues Friday. 

The MP for San Fernando East has continued to insist that Persad-Bissessar reveal more details of the property although she has presented a full explanation in Parliament to show that she followed all the rules and regulations for the construction.

Read the story: PM Kamla puts Manning in his place; asks him about a house in San Fernando

Former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday is supporting Manning and has suggested that the matter of Persad-Bissessar's house should be thoroughly investigated.

“Manning is the longest serving and most experienced member of Parliament and therefore I do not think he would have made his allegations lightly," he told the Trinidad Guardian.

“If the matter is of such fundamental importance it should warrant an inquiry...It doesn’t mean running to punish people for raising issues. It is rather by having them investigated and if it is found the allegations are untrue then you take steps but don’t rush to smother allegations before they are checked,” Panday said.

The leader of the People's National Movement (PNM) is not commenting further on the matter involving its former leader. Keith Rowley told the Express newspaper, "I don't know anything about it and therefore I cannot comment further."

The opposition leader said he is standing by his original statement that MPs are required to be responsible and to be accountable for the contents of their contribution on the Parliament floor.