Manning appeals suspension

PORT OF SPAIN (CMC):

Former prime Minister Patrick Manning has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of his suspension from Parliament.

Manning wants the High Court to have the suspension overturned and is also requesting reimbursement for his loss of earnings as a result of the suspension.

"As a member of Parliament, I earn a salary of $14,000 (US$2,333) and am in receipt of a travelling allowance of $4,200 (US$700). As a consequence of the suspension which I challenge, I will be deprived of these sums and I claim damages," he said in his 22-page affidavit.

The former prime minister, who last week completed a protest march from the capital to his San Fernando East constituency, has named Attorney General Anand Ramlogan as the defendant.

Manning was suspended after the Parliament accepted a report from the Privileges Committee last month that he made allegations against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar regarding the construction of her private home.

other commitments

In his affidavit, Manning listed his attendance at the funeral of former trade and industry minister Ken Valley, as one of the reasons for missing the meeting of the Privilege's Committee when the matter was being discussed.

He has also questioned the decision to have his suspension debated on May 16 when the House Speaker was informed since May 11 that he would have been out of the country seeking medical attention.

No date has been given for the hearing of the motion, but Parliament is scheduled to be prorogued on June 17 when the suspension ends.