PM, Prez mum on CJ issue

SENIOR officials at President’s House yesterday dismissed reports alleging that Prime Minister Patrick Manning was putting “pressure” on President George Maxwell Richards on matters regarding Chief Justice Sat Sharma. The officials said these reports were inaccurate and the President was not under any “pressure” as alleged. They added that “everything will take its course”, where this particular issue is concerned. One official noted that Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday wanted to meet with his Excellency about the Chief Justice but was uncertain when that meeting would take place.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday remained silent on matters pertaining to the Chief Justice. Repeated attempts to contact the Prime Minister for comment at his La Fantasie residence in St Ann’s were unsuccessful. Officials there said Manning was “indisposed.” President Richards who was at a function hosted by the Indian Women of Trinidad and Tobago Group’s at Cara Suites in Claxton Bay, also did not speak to the media who had gathered. His protocol officers said the President was not prepared to speak with the media at the time.