Patrick Manning Had Child Out of Wedlock

Angela Nelson, the woman who first claimed to be
the mother of a child Prime Minister Patrick Manning had out of wedlock
in 2002, is challenging his most recent denial of her allegations 11
days ago.

In doing so, Nelson claims she is breaking an agreement the lawyers
for both parties had arranged for her to keep quiet about her claims
about Manning and her daughter, who is now seven years old.

Manning has continually said the allegations are completely untrue.

Nelson said yesterday, however, that she is now considering taking legal action against Manning.

"After I said everything (in 2002), instead of him communicating
with me about it, he chose to stand up and deny it," Nelson said in an
interview by telephone from her home in North Carolina, USA, yesterday.

Nelson, 53, said she does not
understand why Manning made any reference to her allegations on March
1, when he spoke in defence of his longtime friend, St Vincent and the
Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who was then facing
allegations of rape, which have since been thrown out by the St Vincent
High Court.

"I have not communicated in any shape or way or form with him for at
least four years. That is why my first instinct was that he is not
hearing from or about me and he wants to know what is going on with
me," Nelson said.

It was during a joint news conference with Gonsalves on March 1 that
Manning said that allegations are not enough of a reason for anyone to
leave public office.

Speaking to reporters, Manning said, "I just wish that you all would
continue to investigate the matter and see where it ends now. Where is
the person they were talking about? Where is this child that they were
talking about?"

Nelson, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, had first raised her
allegations at a news conference the day before the 2002 General
Election.

At that time, Manning's attorney, Michael Quamina, issued a letter
to the media on his behalf which said he felt her allegations were
"politically instigated and motivated and published at this time in a
desperate attempt to influence the outcome of the general elections".

"My client categorically denies the allegations made by Ms Nelson," the letter stated.

The Express sent a list of questions and Manning's quotes on March
1 to Quamina for a response on his client's behalf to Nelson's claims
yesterday. Quamina said he needed "time to get further instructions".