Judge gives Manning's legal team 6 more weeks to file submission in challenge to Privileges Committee case

Justice Carol Gobin on Tuesday granted a six-week extension to lawyers representing former prime minister Patrick Manning to allow them to file submissions in Manning's legal challenge against the Privileges Committee of Parliament. The new deadline to file the documents is June 22.

Manning took legal action when House of Representatives Speaker Wade Mark suspended him from Parliament by a vote of 25 for and nine against on May 16, last year.

The San Fernando East MP had been found guilty of contempt of Parliament arising from statements made on November 19, 2010 concerning the private residence of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Manning is on extended medical leave from Parliament. He suffered a stroke in January and is currently in the United States undergoing treatment.

The lawsuit is seeking leave from the court to challenge Parliament’s decision to suspend him. He is also challenging the decision of the Privileges Committee to deny him the opportunity to have his lawyer represent him before the committee.

Mark is listed as a party to the matter together with the office of the Attorney General.

Mark's legal team includes attorneys Deborah Peake, SC, and Rikki Harnanan. Senior Counsels Russell Martineau and Dana Seetahal are leading the State’s legal team. Manning’s lawyers include Douglas Mendes, SC, John Jeremie, SC, Stuart Young and Kerwyn Garcia.