Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner claims there was a plot between Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday six months ago, to destroy the RamJack faction of the United National Congress.

Warner said ’while on a flight on May 22 from London, Manning, who was travelling on the same aircraft, advised me that he can make a deal with the Leader of the Opposition that will get rid of the RamJack faction’. He said, ’The recent meeting between Manning and Panday was all part of a concentrated plan.’

Warner said he told Manning ’neither Ramesh, Gypsy nor I needed Parliament to serve the people of T&T and Dr (Keith) Rowley was not a factor then’.

Warner said he promptly reported the discussion to Ramesh Maharaj and Winston Dookeran, the leader of the Congress of the People.

Warner made the claim as he addressed supporters at a public meeting on Thursday night at the Waterloo High School in Carapichaima.

Warner also said the $2 million national flag hoisted at the Hasely Crawford Stadium has more to do with prejudice than pride. He said pride as justification for the cost of the flag, as stated by Sport Minister Gary Hunt, was untrue.

’It had nothing to do with national pride but envy and greed, because he (Hunt) thought the flag flying at the Centre of Excellence at Macoya must not fly a bigger national flag than he, who had no flag at all,’ said Warner.

The Centre of Excellence is owned by the Warner family, but the flag there was constructed by Fire One Fireworks. Warner said he listened to the fabrications concerning the cost of the flag. He claimed ’there was no initial Cabinet approval for the purchase of the flag, and covering approval was given sometime after’.

Warner said the initial cost to purchase the flag was in excess of $2 million and when managers saw the price they were so horrified they initiated discussions to bring other service providers into the picture.

He said, ’Prabah Sports had offered the same service provided by Fire One (the company contracted to erect the flag) at the cost of $800,000.’

Warner said he also has information that ’the board of the Sports Company (of Trinidad and Tobago) never met or took a decision on the flag’.

Since the flag was hoisted at the stadium there has been criticism from several sections of the national community.

Warner left for Nigeria on Thursday night, but before leaving he told his supporters that he will be returning to campaign for the post of party chairman whenever elections are called.