PSA told, ‘apologise or face court’

The President and first vice-president of the Public Services Association (PSA) have until 4.30 pm tomorrow to give “a full and unqualified written apology for, and a withdrawal of, the allegations and imputations made” on Tuesday at a public meeting in Port-of-Spain. Jennifer Baptiste-Primus and Stephen Thomas have been notified by lawyers representing Joseph Rahael that failure to apologise and fulfil other demands of their client, will result in court action. Legal firm Fitzwilliam Stone Furness-Smith and Morgan, attorneys representing Rahael, the son of Health Minister John Rahael, has written to Baptiste-Primus (PSA president) and Thomas (first vice-president) demanding an apology for allegations which “are completely untrue and quite unfounded.”

The PSA executives were advised that their statements constituted “a bitter and unjustifiable attack” on Rahael and were “defamatory of him, are intended to bring him into odium, hatred and contempt and are injurious to his character.” They have also been instructed by their client to demand that the apology be broadcast at the PSA’s expense in all the electronic media, including TV6, and given the same prominence as their original statements. The PSA must also give an undertaking not to repeat the allegations about Rahael; issue an indemnity in respect “of such costs as our client has incurred in this matter to date” and the PSA’s proposals with regard to the payment of Rahael’s damages.

The law firm stated the damages would be donated to a charitable cause. In the letter to Thomas, the firm said it was advised that he repeated his “defamatory allegations” about Rahael on yesterday’s Morning Edition programme and was arranging to obtain a transcript. The firm said it would write to him on the matter. If Baptiste-Primus and Thomas fail to meet Rahael’s demands, the law firm will issue proceedings without further notice to them and apply to the High Court for “an interlocutory injunction preventing” them from making further statements about their client. Thomas was contacted for comment yesterday and told Newsday that if an apology was demanded he would have to think about it.