PM in bombscare at library

Prime Minister Patrick Manning was rushed out of the National Library after what is believed to have been a bomb-threat, was received yesterday evening.

At 5.10 pm patrons reading in the library were suddenly told to leave by tense security guards who said: “There is an emergency.” About 200 children, youth and adults hurried out of the building. Among the throng, Prime Minister Patrick Manning was seen making his exit,  accompanied by Special Branch officers, aides and ministers. Manning had been chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Standing Committee on Energy. His car, PM-1 had been highly visible parked beside the Old Fire Station on Abercromby Street, guarded by several unmarked Special Branch vehicles and officers.

The first ministerial evacuee was Minister of Trade, Ken Valley. Then came Minister of Housing, Keith Rowley, with Manning and Minister of Works, Franklyn Khan. Minister of Local Government, Rennie Dumas accompanied Minister of Public Utilities, Pennelope Beckles. Next came two Ministers of State in the Ministry of Finance, Conrad Enill, and Christine Sahadeo. Technocrat Prof Ken Julien was also seen among the evacuees. All evacuees, including Government ministers, quickly left the scene. Security personnel acted very promptly and efficiently to ensure a speedy evacuation. In under ten minutes the guards had evacuated the building and locked the gates of the complex.