Despite being absent from two recent People's National Movement (PNM) events involving party leader Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, San Fernando East MP Brian Manning spent last night meeting with constituents, as the constituency began charting a path forward following the resignation of its executive.
Manning's absence from the party's Independence Day celebrations and a subsequent meeting between PNM leaders and San Fernando East members sparked questions about his relationship with the party.
However, he was front and centre at yesterday's general membership meeting, where members were invited to raise concerns, receive updates on the constituency and hear about plans to move forward after the executive stepped down.
Dismissing suggestions of a rift with the party before the start of the meeting, Manning said he had prior commitments over the weekend but remained focused on serving San Fernando East.
"My focus has always been on San Fernando East. That's exactly where I focus all of my time. I had other commitments over the weekend, so I could not attend, but I'm always available for San Fernando East," he said.
The meeting followed weeks of internal controversy after concerns were raised by constituency members about the former executive led by Patricia Alexis.
Manning said he brought those concerns to the PNM's national leadership and requested an investigation.
The executive subsequently resigned, leaving the constituency without a substantive leadership team and prompting calls for an interim arrangement pending the completion of the party's internal processes.
Manning said yesterday's meeting was not an emergency session but acknowledged that members were seeking answers about recent developments.
"This evening we are having a general membership meeting for San Fernando East. Members can come and meet with the leadership of the constituency, ask questions, and we report to them, letting them know exactly what is going on within the constituency and at the national level," he said.
He added that the constituency had asked the PNM's national executive to appoint an interim executive to oversee operations while the party's group verification process is completed.
Manning said the next steps would include an annual general meeting, followed by internal elections to select a new executive.
"We recently saw the previous executive in San Fernando East resign. We have since gone to the executive of the People's National Movement and asked for an interim executive to be installed. From there, we intend to manage what is going on within the constituency. Our party group verification process is under way and should be completed soon. After that, we will have our AGM and continue the constituency's normal processes," he said.
Former education minister Hazel Manning also addressed members during the meeting. Brian Manning again confirmed that she intends to contest the constituency's internal elections.
He said his mother's involvement reflected the family's longstanding connection to San Fernando East and her desire to help stabilise the constituency.
Manning maintained that the constituency remained strong despite the recent upheaval and rejected suggestions that he was facing opposition from members.
He was also asked whether he had provided any documents to the T&T Police Service concerning the concerns he had previously raised.
Manning confirmed that he had not, saying he understood police were investigating based on information already in the public domain.
He reiterated that his intervention was not intended as an allegation against any individual but rather a request for the party to investigate concerns raised by members and "clear the air."
