Campbell facing two more defamation suits
Published:Saturday | August 26, 2023 | 12:10 AM
TWO MORE defamation claims have been filed against People’s National Party (PNP) General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell over comments made last month while riling up supporters in Clarendon.
Attorneys for St Thomas Western Member of Parliament (MP) James Robertson and former MP for St Ann North Western Othneil Lawrence filed the claims on August 16 in the Civil Division of the Supreme Court.
The two men are being represented by the same law firm, Alexander Williams and Co.
Both men are seeking damages for defamation, aggravated damages, exemplary damages, costs and other relief the court deems fit.
Cabinet Minister Daryl Vaz also filed a claim earlier this month.
Robertson and Lawrence have contended that Campbell, while speaking at the PNP’s Clarendon North Western Annual Conference, published or caused to be published and/or spoken words concerning them which “are defamatory and implying certain things which caused injury” to their reputations.
The men said Campbell, a former MP former for St Ann North Western, made the statement about them on July 27.
The statement centred on a 2015 rumour that was started by a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporter who was subsequently sentenced to 30 months in prison for creating public mischief.
James had demanded a public apology and damages he calculated at $20 million from the medical doctor to avoid taking the matter to court.
The apology was to be in terms agreed by him.
Lawrence also demanded a public apology and damages he said amounted to $15 million.
Both men also insisted that Campbell covered each of their $250,000 legal costs.
They argued that the statement was made at a “massive” gathering and was livestreamed “to thousands of individuals both locally and internationally” and has caused much “embarrassment and distress”.
Campbell has not commented publicly on the matter.
The PNP has also not commented.