Port-of-Spain (Trinidad Express):

Prime Minister Patrick Manning has forgiven international televangelist Benny Hinn for the "inaccurate statements" he made about events that transpired during a meeting at the Crowne Plaza last year.

In a statement issued by Whitehall on Monday, Manning expressed surprise over Hinn's statement about the presence of an unidentified woman whom he described as Manning's spiritual adviser.

"Foolish man"

On a recent Trinity Broadcasting Network programme, Hinn described Manning as a "foolish man". He said when he was in his (Manning's) office a few months ago, he brought with him a very foolish woman who called herself a prophetess.

"He (Manning) said 'I want her to pray for you and give her the word, I take her with me everywhere' he (Manning) said . 'God speaks to me through her. She has been a great blessing to the Government.' I'm thinking, 'you foolish man'."

"This woman reaches out to touch me and I grab her hand in mid air, 'don't touch me', I said. Shaken, I said, 'Mr. Prime Minister, I honour you, but I don't know who this woman is ... nobody will lay hands on me' and I walked out of the room. Whether it is the Prime Minister or President, nobody lays hands on me. I don't know what spirit is in her. Don't let people touch you."

Whitehall said Manning wanted to address the issue "following concerns expressed by members of the public."