Court Dismisses Defamation Case Against Prime Minister Rowley

The High Court has dismissed the claim of defamation made against Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley by Member of Parliament for Oropouche East, Dr. Roodal Moonilal. High Court Justice Carol Gobin determined that the Claimant's case against the Defendant's is dismissed with costs. On the issue of the quantum of costs, the appropriate order should be costs on the prescribed scale, but the court will allow the parties seven days to indicate any other view on the issue. In the lawsuit, Dr. Moonilal claimed Prime Minister Rowley tarnished his character in statements alluding to corruption in the Eden Gardens Housing Development in Freeport. The alleged comments were made at a People’s National Movement media reception on January 8th, 2020. In her ruling, Justice Carol Gobin said persons choosing to enter the cut and thrust of politics do not surrender their individual right to reputation. Justice Gobin stated in cases of this type, the courts continue to balance that right on the one hand with the right of all citizens including their adversaries to hold and express political views even brutally and the right of the press to report on them. She said politicians would do well to recognise and accept that increasingly the scales are tipping in favour of protecting the right to free political expression in a democracy, as Courts acknowledge the importance of political debate and its vital role in achieving transparency and accountability in the affairs of government and promoting the rule of law.