Brian Manning, son of former prime minister Patrick Manning, yesterday denied that he received $9 million to fund his National Professional Basketball League initiative in 2007. Though the issue of Government support was first raised five years ago when the younger Manning's father was prime minister, it was resurrected during Wednesday nights panel discussion by Government members.

"I understand it was raised again last night but I did not receive $9 million," Manning said in a telephone interview yesterday.

The issue was raised by Local Government Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan as one of 50 "scandals" under the People's National Movement (PNM) during the first Democracy Is Alive simulcast on Wednesday night. The itemised list was published on the social networking site Facebook on both Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's public page and another entitled "Rowley Must Go".

Rambachan, United National Congress chairman and Minister of National Security Jack Warner, Housing Minister Dr Roodal Minister, Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader Ashworth Jack and Sport Minister and Congress of the People member Anil Roberts completed the list of panelists.

Rambachan also stated that though Manning received the money the project "never came off".

"This is just more of the campaign of lies against all things Manning," he said.

He said he "had no idea" why the Government continued to speak out against the former political leader. The former PNM leader suffered a stroke back in January and remained in and out of the hospital while recuperating.

"He is focused on getting better right now and I wish they leave him to get better," he said.