Several religious leaders in the country have expressed “sadness” and “regret” about a quarrel over race and national unity which erupted between Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, after African Emancipation Day celebrations last Saturday.

Each leader had accused the other of fuelling division in the country. It followed the booing of Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin at Emancipation celebrations at Independence Square, Port of Spain, Saturday morning. Later that day, when Persad-Bissessar’s name was mentioned, there was jeering from attendees at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village, Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain.

On Saturday, Persad-Bissessar lambasted Beckles, describing her concerns about division in society as fake.