UNC questions PM’s role in mosque controversy

THE UNITED National Congress (UNC) wants Prime Minister Patrick Manning to state the “real reason” why he cancelled his trip to Mexico and to explain his role in the issue involving the mosque in Laventille. The opposition also condemned a statement issued by the PNM over the weekend which accused UNC members of making irresponsible statements to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan during his recent visit to Trinidad.

The UNC said Senator Wade Mark and Caroni East MP Ganga Singh had a constitutional right “to express their concerns about facts surrounding critical national issues such as crime and discrimination.” The UNC described several full-page colour newspaper advertisements showing Manning meeting international leaders during his recent trips abroad as “damage control” following the recent “litany of woes that have recently afflicted him.” The party identified these as the acceptance of  private trips from Repsol,  the delivery of the letter of appointment to Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs and an application to waive his $1.1 million debt to the State. The UNC told the PNM the money spent on ads promoting their leader should instead be paid to the State.