Politics
Former Prime Minister Manning rejects Trinidad & Tobago’s highest honor
“The decision to honor Patrick Manning was based on the changing philosophy that has underlined many of the reforms brought by my government inclusive of the need to honor those who have served regardless of their political affiliation, religious or other beliefs.”
She said while her administration acknowledges Manning’s right to reject the honor “it is my hope that the ideal of reaching beyond the divide of politics to honor those who served the nation has not been lost”.
Manning, who in 2011, suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed, said he wanted to assure citizens that he holds “our institutions, ceremonies and awards in the highest esteem and I pray for the day when the Rt. Hon. Persad-Bissessar and the People’s Partnership government demit office and we can once again “take our pride in our liberty”.
Panday has made no statement since Persad-Bissessar made the announcement late Thursday. -(CMC)
