Manning backs down, withdraws court matters against AG and House Speaker

Lawyers for former prime minister Patrick Manning on Friday advised a judge that Manning would no longer be pursuing lawsuits against Speaker of the House of Representatives Wade Mark and Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.

They gave notice in a private hearing before Justice Carol Gobin in the Port of Spain High Court.

Manning filed the lawsuits following his suspension last year from the House of Representatives for contempt of Parliament regarding statements about the source of funding for the private residence of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Manning challenged both the decision of the House to suspend him and the decision of the Privileges Committee to deny him the right to have his attorney question witnesses.
Manning suffered a stroke in January and has been granted medical leave from Parliament until October 24. Parliament would have to make a decision whether to grant him a further extension or declare his seat vacant.