Prime Minister Patrick Manning is categorically denying allegations previously made against him by Angela Nelson, a Trinidad-born resident of North Carolina.
The Prime Minister’s denial came in a letter from his attorney, Michael Quamina, which was faxed to the Guardian yesterday at 3.39 pm.
In the letter, Quamina, on behalf of his client, stated:
“I write to indicate that my client categorically denies the allegations previously made by Ms Nelson. There is no truth whatsoever in these allegations, and this was made perfectly clear by way of my letter to your newspaper of October 6, 2002.”
Quamina wrote to all newspapers on the eve of the 2002 general election, warning them to be cautious about allegations made against his client, Prime Minister Manning.
“In this regard, it is important to note that at the time of the making of these allegations, and subsequent thereto, no evidence has been produced in support of these extravagant claims. I should also mention that there has never been any agreement of any nature entered in between my client and Ms Nelson with respect to these matters, including any confidentiality agreement.”
Quamina went on to state: “I therefore wish to caution that your articles must not contain any content which is defamatory of my client, that is the articles must refrain from publishing any words which suggest that my client had any relationship whatsoever at any time with Ms Nelson.”
On March 1, the Prime Minister brought back up the long-dormant allegations as he addressed a news conference alongside visiting Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves, who had been battling to clear his name of allegations made against him by a security guard.
Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister told the media:
“I just wish that you all would continue to investigate the matter and see what its end is now. Where is the person they were talking about? Where is the child they were talking about?”
Yesterday, the Prime Minister’s attorney quoted at length the precedent-setting defamation case of Reynolds v Times Newspaper:
“I also question what steps your newspaper has taken, if any, to verify the information, save for the say-so of an individual whose reason is questionable.” .