Brian Manning hits UNC opponents: My mother is no liar

News

PNM San Fernando East candidate Brian Manning has criticised his UNC opponents for claiming his mother, former government minister is a liar.

Manning, who is also Minister in the Ministry of Finance, made the comment at a PNM public meeting at Harris Promenade, San Fernando on April 2.

Without calling any names, Manning said his UNC rival has been trying to manipulate poor people in San Fernando East by making social media videos with them

"That is not service. That is narcissism."

He criticised another UNC member who claimed his mother, Hazel Manning, was a liar.

>

"My mother has never had to lie."

Manning said his mother has also never been accused of a crime.

Manning's defence of his mother relates to a claim from former PNM activist Wendy H Lewis that she was the personal protocol officer for former prime minister, the late Patrick Manning, "for years" which Mrs Manning has refuted.

Lewis is now a supporter of the UNC candidate for San Fernando East, John Michael Alibocus. She has been critical of the PNM administration under Prime Minister Stuart Young. Young was sworn in as prime minister on March 17, after Dr Keith Rowley resigned on March 16.

Rowley previously announced his intention to resign as prime minister in January. Young called the general election date on March 18.

Patrick Manning, who served as the San Fernando East MP for decades, died on July 2, 2016, at the San Fernando General Hospital.

In a Facebook response on March 23 to Lewis's claims Mrs Manning said there was never any post of "personal protocol officer" under her late husband. She said the “individual in question” had attended a short course with her consultancy agency, The Leadership Firm 2.

“This individual was never retained by me, my late husband, or my sons, and has never had any standing with the Manning family, or served remotely as our representative,” the post said.

“This attempt to misrepresent history is unfortunate and I ask that these claims cease immediately. I hope this is helpful in setting the record straight.”

>

During the April 2 public meeting, Manning also said during the covid19 pandemic, government was able to provide some $6 billion in relief.

He also said San Fernando East could look forward to benefits such as a new community centre in Cocoyea and the opening of a swimming pool in the same community.