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Patrick Manning has resigned as leader of the PNM after a sound whipping at the polls this week by the Kamla Persad-Bissessar People's Partnership. MP Keith Rowley has been appointed interim leader and Opposition Leader once he receives at least seven votes from existing PNM MPs. Manning was repeatedly booed by PNM supporters outside Balisier House yesterday. It marks a sad end to a political career for a man described by many as a megalomaniac.

Manning drove out of Balisier House yesterday after resigning, hounded by a mob of shouting supporters of Rowley who put on a angry display blaming Manning, and the media, for the PNM's election defeat on Monday. Police, including Guard and Emergency Branch riot officers, were called in after angry supporters of Rowley's from Diego Martin West, Couva South and other areas shouted down the walls at Balisier House where PNM’s General Council met to discuss Manning's decision.

Unbeknownst to the angry mob, Manning had come to the council meeting armed with his resignation letter which he presented and which PNM chairman Conrad Enill later revealed to the media. When Manning arrived at 4.55 pm, he was given a hostile reception by a small group of supporters wearing "Rowley" jerseys who arrived by maxi-taxi. Similar PNMites arrived throughout the evening, becoming louder in decrying the former prime minister. Rowley was cheered loudly when he arrived.

PNMites came on the scene bearing placards proclaiming: "Manning - Please Go Home," "Step Down," "Do like Brown and Step Down Now," "Please Go Home so we can heal" and "The People have spoken - please listen and leave." Melba Boxhill, one of the most vocal protesters shouted, "Is he have we here! He shoulda resign since Monday... we out of a job! Rowley is the man!" PNMite David Taitt began using a microphone to call for Manning to go. Taitt said, "We are the voice of the ground troops! We have to remove the rubble before we rebuild whoever the rubble is!" Rowley's campaign manager, Jacquie Lazarus, in a long statement, also said Manning should have resigned. Police, called in at 5.30 pm, met with Manning in a private office. The officers later spoke to Taitt.

Shortly after around 5.45 pm, Manning, seated in the back of his silver Prado, was driven out of the compound with the angry mob shouting him out of the driveway. PNM's council meeting continued in Manning's absence. The mob which had filled the Balisier House courtyard later turned their attention to the media present.

At a subsequent news conference, PNM chairman Enill read Manning’s May 27 letter to the Council. This stated, "The general election of May 24 did not result in victory for the PNM. As political leader of the party, I accept full responsibility for this result. I am of the view the party in these circumstances should proceed to elect a new political leader in the shortest possible time and in accordance with the PNM constitution. To facilitate this process I hereby resign the office of political leader. May I also indicate that if it is the party's wish, I am prepared to stay on as political leader until a political leader is elected at which time it will be my pleasure to gracefully demit office." It is understood the PNM General Council roundly rejected Manning's proposal to stay on as leader until a new leader is selected.

Enill said Manning's mood yesterday was one of disappointment. He said Manning had made it plain in Monday's address that he would have had to consider his position in politics after the defeat and would have stepped down. Enill admitted the PNM should have done more work for the election and would in future move differently and be more relevant. On the view that he and other officials should also resign, Enill agreed that if this was necessary after the new leader was elected, he would.