PNM Rebukes Manning as San Fernando East Dispute Deepens Further

PNM Condemns Brian Manning’s Statements as San Fernando East Dispute Deepens

The People’s National Movement has publicly rebuked San Fernando East MP Brian Manning, accusing him of making inaccurate statements as an increasingly tense internal dispute within the constituency continues to deepen.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 24, PNM Chairman Marvin Gonzales said the party had taken note of statements made by Manning in the media earlier in the day.

According to the PNM, Manning failed to honour procedures initiated under the party’s Constitution to address the issues affecting the San Fernando East constituency.

The party rejected Manning’s public account, saying his statements were inaccurate and had cast aspersions on the PNM, members of the constituency he represents and the leadership of the party.

The PNM described Manning’s conduct as unacceptable and said it would publicly respond to his statements and present what it considers the relevant facts.

The confrontation represents the latest development in a dispute that has been building within San Fernando East involving Manning and constituency chairman Patricia Alexis.

Manning had previously taken concerns from constituency members to the PNM leadership. Alexis also submitted a complaint, resulting in an internal party inquiry and recommendations which the PNM said were being implemented. Manning subsequently raised concerns about aspects of that process and the manner in which the situation was being handled.

The disagreement became increasingly public after a statement posted by Manning in a San Fernando East group chat was deleted and Manning was removed from the group by Alexis. Manning later called for intervention by the party’s national leadership.

The controversy has also taken a growing toll on the constituency executive.

Several executive members initially resigned amid the dispute, with concerns reportedly raised over a statement criticising Manning that some members said had been issued in the executive’s name without their prior knowledge or approval.

The situation escalated further on Monday when the San Fernando East constituency executive announced its resignation.

The development came just hours after Gonzales publicly rebuked Manning over his statements and his handling of the party’s internal process, adding another layer of uncertainty to the future leadership of the constituency.

While the resignation represents a significant development, the confrontation between Manning and elements of the PNM remains at the centre of the unfolding controversy.

Manning has raised a series of allegations and concerns involving the constituency and the party’s handling of the dispute. Those allegations remain claims made by Manning and should not be treated as established fact unless independently verified.

The PNM, meanwhile, has strongly rejected his account and maintains that established internal procedures were put in place to address the problems affecting San Fernando East.

The party announced a press conference at Balisier House for Monday afternoon, saying it intended to correct the public record and provide its version of the facts surrounding the controversy.

The dispute now presents the PNM with the challenge of stabilising one of its longstanding constituencies while managing an increasingly public disagreement involving its sitting MP.

With the constituency executive stepping aside and the national leadership openly challenging Manning’s statements, attention will now turn to what happens next in San Fernando East and whether the PNM’s internal processes can bring the escalating dispute under control.