Trinidad and Tobago Opposition chief Kamla Persad-Bissessar is refusing to again down following a authorized menace from Lawyer Normal Camille Robinson-Regis, firmly declaring she won’t apologize for feedback made at a political assembly final month.
In response to a Pre-Motion Protocol Letter from Robinson-Regis’s lawyer demanding damages for defamation and a proper apology, Persad-Bissessar’s authorized group issued a strongly worded rebuttal, sustaining that their shopper’s statements have been each justified and within the public curiosity.
The dispute stems from remarks made by Persad-Bissessar at a United National Congress (UNC) cottage assembly on March 17, the place she raised questions on an ongoing police investigation into Robinson-Regis and highlighted that she was not in possession of a present practising certificates from the Regulation Affiliation of Trinidad and Tobago. Persad-Bissessar then questioned whether or not, below such circumstances, the general public might believe in Robinson-Regis’s appointment as Lawyer Normal.
Robinson-Regis additionally formally requested $4 million in compensation from Persad-Bissessar.
However Persad-Bissessar’s attorneys cited feedback by former Police Commissioner Gary Griffith in 2021 confirming that the investigation into Robinson-Regis was ongoing and argued that, so far, there was no official public assertion confirming the matter’s conclusion. They challenged Robinson-Regis’s declare that she is now not below investigation, noting that no documentation or announcement has been introduced to confirm it.
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The previous Trinidad Prime Minister’s authorized group dismissed any suggestion of defamation, asserting that the feedback have been “honest touch upon issues of public curiosity” and completely acceptable, particularly contemplating the seriousness of appointing somebody probably below police investigation to the publish of Lawyer Normal.
Additional, Persad-Bissessar’s attorneys raised questions on whether or not the authorized menace was being made in Robinson-Regis’s private or official capability. “The usage of the Workplace of Lawyer Normal to prosecute non-public defamation claims by the holder of that workplace could be a misuse of that workplace and have a chilling impact on democratic debate,” the letter warned.
The response additionally pointed to the timing of the letter, which was despatched on March 28—simply ten days after basic elections have been introduced and fewer than a month earlier than polling day. The attorneys argued the timing appeared politically motivated, saying the claims are “solely devoid of benefit and an abuse of the Courtroom’s Pre-Motion Protocols for bare political functions.”
In a agency conclusion, the letter acknowledged: “Our shopper shall not apologise for any of the statements you could have complained about.”
Persad-Bissessar reaffirmed her dedication to elevating problems with public concern, stating via her authorized group that she “won’t be daunted by any threats of authorized motion” and intends to proceed questioning issues of nationwide curiosity as a part of her obligation as Chief of the Opposition.
