MANNING: NO REGRETS ON ALLEYNE

Prime Minister Patrick Manning said yesterday that Government had no regrets about any of its appointments, including that of Hubert Alleyne as UTC chairman. “The fact is that none of us can guarantee the behaviour and actions of others. All we can do is exercise our best judgment in making these appointments. But if having done so things go wrong then we must be willing to make the requisite changes as expeditiously as possible, which has happened in this case,” he stated. He was speaking at a post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall. However, Manning declined to say much more on the UTC issue because the matter is now before the court. He said he didn’t want to prejudice the issue. He said his lawyers — Alexander, Jeremie and Company — would advise on whether he should put in an appearance.  He added that he imagined Junior Finance Minister Conrad Enill and the Attorney General would have their own lawyers.