Dick-Forde says sorry to Calder Hart and Manning

Dick-Ford’s repentance came on Wednesday evening while paying tribute to Manning at a 40-day memorial service themed “He gave us hope, He renewed our youth” at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, in San Fernando.

The service was hosted by the San Fernando East Constituency in conjunction with the Manning family and the Anglican Diocese.

Manning suffered a stroke in 2012 and passed away at the San Fernando General Hospital on July 2 shortly after being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

In the Christian faith, 40 days marks the end of the period of mourning.

On Wednesday, as his story continued to be told, Manning’s wife Hazel, his son David and other close relatives, along with friends and party faithful heard from those who worked closely with Manning over the years. For almost five hours in an evening that was punctuated with live performances, the audience heard of a man who, while on his political journey, sought godly counsel from “prophets and prophetess,” about his health challenges, of his family life and a boast of him being able “to run the country from a hospital bed better than those who occupy the Twin Towers.” There was also a fervent appeal to stop blaming the late San Fernando East Member of Parliament (MP) for losing two general elections.

“Every journey has a destination,” Dick-Ford told the audience as she likened his life to that of a pilgrim. “Mr Manning said to me in early June, ‘Emily, Calder Hart was not corrupt.’ I said, ‘I know sir.’ But I know he wasn’t trying to convince me because he knew that I knew that. He was not trying to convince me, he was expressing his deep concern about the personal loss and the public hate that was unleashed on Mr Calder Hart for being a loyal and extremely hard working soldier to Patrick Manning.” Dick-Ford said that today the entire country continues to “enjoy to the max, the work of Manning and Hart.” She went on to say: “I say now on behalf of this nation, I repent for the deep wrong that was perpetrated on Calder Hart and Patrick Manning. One day the light will turn on and many will be ashamed.” It was love for God and dialogue with “other believers in Christ” that led him to priest, pastors, prophets, yes, and prophetess,” continued Dick-Ford. “What many made into a scandal, was simply a man seeking to know about the Lord, not from one person, but many more godly counsellors.” She went on to tell her audience that Manning’s opponents never used “legitimate weapons. “I want to repeat that, Mr Manning’s opponents did not use legitimate weapons, they fought very very very dirty.” Former Tertiary Education minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid who spoke on Manning as a visionary, confessed his love for his former boss saying that his death had affected him. One month before Manning died, Abdul-Hamid said they both had a long discussion.

Also speaking was party stalwart Joan Yuille-Williams who said she wanted it made clear that Manning should not be blamed for losing two elections. “He was having some difficulty with some people inside and outside and he decided, I am not going to stay if you don’t want me,” Yuille-Williams said.

“An election is a time you go and vote for who you want and if you vote and you didn’t want him, how you talking about he call an early election? Twice it happened. Stop blaming the man and blame your self.” Among those in attendance were San Fernando Mayor Kazim Hosein, past and present government ministers.

Officiating minister at the interfaith service was Archdeacon Edwin Primus, the audience was treated to live performances from the Southernaires Choir, Presentation College Choir, Zion Tabernacle Church Choir, violinists Anselm Walters and Andre Donawa and Shiv Shakti Dance Troupe, Skiffle Bunch and Divine Echoes All Music Orchestra.

Guests entering the institution were able to view the display of all Manning’s memorabilia. Mrs Manning was on hand to greet to welcome those who were in attendance.