The sparks flew at a regional debate in central Newfoundland yesterday.
Rogers TV in Grand Falls-Windsor aired a regional candidates forum sponsored by the Exploits Chamber of Commerce for the candidates in Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans.
Incumbent PC candidate Chris Tibbs at the podium and Liberal candidate Barry Manuel (seated) (via Rogers TV)
But the cable station had to cut the feed when the incumbent, PC MHA Chris Tibbs and former mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor Barry Manuel, who is running for the Liberals, got into a verbal dispute.
Tibbs accused Manuel of being dishonest, prompting Manuel to leave his seat and approach Tibbs insisting that he show the proof, to which Tibbs repeated the accusation several more times.
Rogers had to cut the feed, but the candidates forum resumed after a brief pause.
Neither PC Leader Tony Wakeham, nor Liberal Leader John Hogan had seen the video. Wakeham told reporters this morning that debate should be on the issues.
“I’ve always taken the approach that we need to focus on the issues and not on the individuals, and that’s something that I will make sure that all our candidates do.”
Liberal Leader John Hogan backed up candidate Barry Manuel.
“I’m sure Barry did a great job” Hogan told reporters in Corner Brook, “(he’s) one of our great candidates, former mayor, I’m sure he did a great job in that debate last night.”
