Freedom Fm has just been informed that the Court of Appeal in Basseterre on Wednesday morning upheld the judgment against the Democrat Newspaper in the defamation claim made by Opposition Leader Dr Denzil Douglas against the Democrat Newspaper.
Back in 2011, when Dr Douglas was prime minister, the Democrat wrongfully accused the then Prime Minister Dr Douglas and the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party of the murder of Noel Zambo Heath and others including Dr William V Herbert, a founder of the People’s Action Movement.
Dr Douglas took legal action and sued the Democrat putting in a claim for defamation. The Democrat failed to respond and attempted to set aside the judgment initially.
Freedom Fm spoke to Dr Douglas’ lawyer Angelina Sookoo, who successfully defended the appeal by the Democrat newspaper against the defamation judgment obtained against the newspaper by Dr Douglas. The appeal was dismissed.
The judgment of $350,000 is the largest judgment given thus far for defamation in political cases.