Dr. Dayton Campbell, the General Secretary of the People’s National Party, has resolved a defamation claim brought against him by Mr. Vaz nearly three years ago. In an out-of-court settlement, Campbell has agreed to pay $1.5 million in costs. He will also publicly apologize to Vaz.
Both parties signed the voluntary out-of-court settlement on Wednesday. This concluded a contentious issue that began in 2023, when Dr. Campbell made unsubstantiated defamatory remarks about Vaz at a political event in North Western Clarendon.
According to the agreement, Dr. Dayton Campbell will formally withdraw his statements. He will also issue a written apology in his role as the PNP General Secretary.
Vaz filed a defamation lawsuit against Dr. Campbell regarding comments he made about Minister Vaz during a political event in July 2023. In the lawsuit, Vaz’s attorney asserted that Dr. Campbell’s statements implied that Vaz had participated in criminal activity.
Dr. Campbell acknowledges that his remarks could have caused damage to Mr. Vaz
In his apology, Dr. Campbell acknowledges that his remarks could be interpreted as him linking Minister Vaz to a murder. And to an alleged plot to assassinate then-Opposition Leader Andrew Holness in 2015.
Dr. Campbell asserts that those claims are unfounded and categorically false. He emphasizes that Minister Vaz provided a passport and college records. These prove he was out of the country at the time of the murder. Additionally, a man has since been convicted of public mischief in relation to the assassination claim.
The agreement requires Dr. Campbell to record a video apology for his social media platforms by noon on Thursday. Additionally, he must have the apology published in the Gleaner and Observer newspapers this coming Sunday. The apology must be prominently displayed within the first five pages of both publications.
Additionally, he has agreed to pay the $1.5 million in costs within six months. Vaz, who currently serves as Minister of Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport, was represented by attorney Catherine Minto.
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