Opposition Lawmaker In St. Kitts Wins Defamation Lawsuit Against Deputy Prime Minister

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis,  April 17, 2019 (CMC) – The attorney, representing former education and information minister, Nigel Carty, says he will soon make a submission, regarding the damages his client should receive, after a High Court found he had been defamed by Deputy Prime Minister, Shawn Richards.

“We will then make submissions for the quantum of damages, to which Mr. Carty is entitled to, as a result of the defamation,” said attorney, Sylvester Anthony, hours after the Court ruled in favour of his client, on Monday.

Carty had taken legal action, against Richards, over statements he made in January 2010, on political platforms.

“Those statements alleged that Mr. Carty, then a minister of government, engaged in criminal sexual conduct,” Anthony said  on a radio program, here, adding that Justice, Eddy Ventrose, ruled in favour of his client.

“There was not one scintilla of evidence, provided by Hon. Shawn Richards in this case, to support the allegations that were made on the public platform,” said Anthony, adding that “there was not one ounce of evidence, even suggested by Hon. Shawn Richards, to support the vile allegations that were made against Mr. Carty, then a minister of government in 2010”.

Anthony said that Justice Ventose, in his ruling, has given directions for the hearing of the assessment of damages, on November 28.

Carty later told radio listeners that the allegations by Richards had no basis.

“He provided no evidence to the court. He did not provide a proper defense, which reinforces the argument that he knew the allegations he made were very untrue. We contended, and the judge agreed, that Shawn Richards purely for political gain” defamed me, said Carty.