PM: expresses sorrow but

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning said he was sorry to learn about yesterday’s court ruling against his predecessor Basdeo Panday but that ruling sent a clear warning to all local politicians that none of them is above the law.

Speaking with journalists following an arrival ceremony for Jamaican PM Portia Simpson Miller at Piarco International Airport yesterday, Manning said his initial reaction to the verdict was one of sorrow. “I would have preferred that it did not happen but so be it,” he stated. The Prime Minister said the Government recognises the Doctrine of Separation of Powers in this matter. “It is a matter for the Judiciary and it was handled by the Judiciary,” he added.

Asked about the political implications of the verdict, the Prime Minister said: “It means that I have to be careful and all like me have to be careful because the rule of law is not for some and not for others. It is of course for everybody.” Questioned what the verdict meant for the current composition in the House of Representatives, including who will be Opposition Leader, Manning said the Attorney-General is looking into the matter and will be advising Government in due course.

The Prime Minister said the situation is also being looked at by President George Maxwell Richards. Asked how he learnt about the Panday verdict, Manning said someone from his office had contacted him about it.

On Simpson-Miller’s three-day State visit to TT which began yesterday, Manning said an LNG agreement between the two governments was on the top of their agenda.