The investigation into the death threat against Prime Minister Patrick Manning is ongoing, acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Raymond Craig, the officer mandated to investigate the claim, said yesterday

Craig said very little when probed by the Express during a news conference at Police Administration Headquarters in Port of Spain yesterday as to the status of the investigation.

On July 27, at a political public meeting in Arima, Manning said that a year ago, days before the anniversary of the attempted coup, a person walked into the office of his wife, Local Government Minister Hazel Manning, and informed her that an organisation was going to make an attempt to assassinate the Prime Minister.

Following the disclosure, acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert said he was unaware of the death threat and mandated Craig to investigate the matter.

When questioned yesterday on the status of the investigation, Craig said: ’That investigation is ongoing. However, at this time I will not be revealing anything more on that.’

Probed further as to whether he had interviewed the Mannings, Craig stated: ’I spoke with the Prime Minister a few days after (the incident was made public).’

Asked whether he spoke with Mrs Manning since, according to reports, she was told of the threat directly, Craig declined to comment.

Stating the investigation is still on-going and no suspects have been interviewed, Craig said: ’I am not prepared to say anything on the issue.’

Craig scoffed when asked how long the investigation is expected to last.

’I cannot tell you that,’ he said.

On the issue of bicycle cops hitting the streets following the upsurge in crime in the Woodbrook area Craig said: ’We have had quotes and we are ensuring that we acquire the bicycles in a timely way, so the bicycle patrol can be part of our strategy. I would say soon-that’s the time-frame.

’We are trying to acquire them (bicycles),’ Craig said. -Denyse Renne