by Linda Straker
- Seven days from 13 December 2019 to respond to pre-action protocol letter
- Letter demands cease and desist from repeating the claim; apologise and pay compensation of EC$350,000
Claudette Joseph, the Public Relations Officer of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has seven days from 13 December 2019 to respond to a pre-action protocol letter from Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell. If she fails to comply with the demands, a defamatory lawsuit will be filed against her in the civil court.
The letter to Joseph said that on 2 December in a live news conference from the headquarters of the NDC, she uttered words that can have negative effects on the Prime Minister who is the Minister for Finance and is also the person under whose ministry the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme falls.
“You made certain statements on behalf of the NDC about our client which we believe are defamatory in nature, and geared to impugn on his good name, his standing and reputation,” said the letter from the law firm of Nigel Stewarts and Associates. “These statements are therefore completely false and malicious in all respect and were intentionally made by you to cause damage to our client’s reputation.” The letter demands that Joseph, who is a lawyer by profession, cease and desist from repeating the claim; apologise and pay compensation of EC$350,000.
In the news conference whose speakers were former Political Leader and Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas, and Joseph — who was elected to the PRO role in early November 2019 — they expressed concern about the recent Al Jazeera production called “Diplomat passports for Sale.” The documentary is claiming that several Caribbean islands with citizenship by investment programmes are selling diplomat passports.
The segment on Grenada focused on the failed Grenada Sustainable Aquaculture project which was to be located in St Mark. While speaking on the matter, Joseph said that the Prime Minister was also an investor in the project and directed members of media to watch a Youtube video where he is disclosing the information.
“Our client denies uttering those words but merely to say that he has invested in the parish,” the letter informed Joseph.
The Prime Minister is known to own a historic house in St Mark which is undergoing significant refurbishing and upgrading.
As for the project, in October 2018, government placed a notice on its CBI website announcing the suspension of applications in respect of the project until further notice. In March 2019, the Prime Minister announced that an investigation was been conducted. An update is yet to be provided.
The letters ended by informing Joseph that failure to comply with the demands of the letter will give the firm no choice to proceed with legal action.
Calls to Joseph for a comment on the development proved futile as her telephone went unanswered.
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This is Intimidation Tactic by and from the Prime Minister.
He shells it out but cannot take it. This corruption is slowly but surely leaking out. This is indeed shameful Abuse of his Office. Shameful Abuse of Power as well.
This corruption should not go down in history as the Grenada our children will read about under Mitchell’s dirty thumb Rule.
Anthony Haiden.
Claudette, nothing to worry about. I’ve viewed and listened carefully to the dialogue on this video. Given that this gathering was to launch the GSA forward looking Sustainable Aquaculture Project.
That in mind, one would have assumed, that any reference to “investment” was directly related to this project , unless stated otherwise. In fact, the words from the PM when called to the podium was. “. I’m particularly happy this afternoon to witness this, and that’s what so proud of what we seen here this afternoon and look forward to it, to see this project take off in every sense. But let me tell you this. You have the people of St. Marks with you, you have the Parliamentary representative and you have another investor, the Prime Minister with you, so don’t worry”. At no time was the audience informed that the reference to “investor” relates to investment in the Parish. This therefore indicate to the ordinary man in the street, the comments was indeed referred to the Shrimp Farm.
I have the video should you require the evidence.
Good luck.
He is acting just like his white twin brother up north. Why don’t he sue Al Jazeera? But, he knows it stands no chance of winning. Only in Grenada he could practice this nonsense. I think it will be too late for Grenada when they finally wake up and kick this old man into retirement.
Our client denies uttering those words but merely to say that he has invested in the parish,” the letter informed Joseph.
Then EVERYONE is an investor as long as they invest in their parish, either materially, emotionally or otherwise .. words matter!! This is a frivolous Bull Spit pre-action letter that is dead on arrival
What a something eh!
I can smell The Donald Trump of Grenada using intimidation tacticts to silence those who speaks against him. Sad day Grenadians, Your civil rights and privileges are being eroded and soon you’ll find yourselves living under Aristocracy. Too late to change now, the damage has already been done. Now wait until next election and try to see if you can undo the wrong. However, I have faith in the NDC and like the Democrats, the time will come for justice to be served.