By Barbara Gayle, Staff ReporterFORMER MINISTER of Water and Housing Karl Blythe is going ahead with the libel suit he filed two years ago against Opposition Leader Edward Seaga and other executive members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) arising from his resignation as Minister of Government in April 2002.
Dr. Blythe is contending that the libel stemmed from advertisements which the JLP broadcast on three radio stations shortly after he resigned. He is seeking aggravated damages.
However, it will be two years before the matter reaches trial.
Dr. Blythe contends that he was gravely injured in his integrity and reputation as a result of the words used by the JLP. He said the words also lowered him in the estimation of others and brought him into public contempt.
The words, he contends, were motivated by malice towards him.
Dr. Blythe had resigned as Minister following a damning report form the Erwin Angus-led Commission appointed by Prime Minister P. J. Patterson to probe operations into the Operation Pride schemes.
He was later exonerated after a probe conducted by Dr. Kenneth Rattray, QC, retired Solicitor-General, found that Dr. Blythe was not guilty of wrong doing. The Prime Minister had appointed Dr. Rattray to conduct the probe.
The JLP executive members have filed a defence claiming qualified privilege. They are contending that each and every publication of the words complained of were in the nature of their political office and political speech which in turn are subject to qualified privilege under the Constitution of Jamaica's concept of representative democracy.
The parties attended a case management conference in the Supreme Court on Monday and agreed to file certain documents by September 10 this year.
A pre-trial review of the case is set for October 4, next year. The trial which is estimated to last 15 days will take place on March 13, 2006. The parties have agreed for the suit to be tried by a judge.
