Trinidad And Tobago Opposition Leader Wins Defamation Lawsuit Against Former Cabinet Colleague

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, October 11, 2018 (CMC) – A High Court ruled, yesterday, in favour of Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad Bissessar, in her defamation lawsuit against the Sunshine Publishing Company Limited, owned by Austin Jack Warner, who once served as a senior minister in her coalition People’s Partnership government.

Persad Bissessar had taken the legal action after the newspaper published an article on December 4, 2015, under the headline “Kamla facing extradition to US”.

The article was based on an October 12, 2012 letter, allegedly, from then United States Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders.

When the matter came up for hearing in the San Fernando High Court, yesterday, Persad Bissessar confirmed that the contents of her witness statement, filed in March 2017, were true.

Justice David Harris said there is to be damages for libel, inclusive of aggravating and exemplary damages and cost for the claimant. He also ordered that there be an injunction, restricting the defendant from further publishing the allegation or any similar allegation and cost for the claim.

Damages are to be assessed before a Master on a date to be fixed.

Warner was not present in court.