 |
Errol
Maitland |
Details
are beginning to emerge about the kinds of pressure being brought
to bear on so-called local media magnate, Errol Maitland by ”Strategic
Trade Negotiator” for government, Dr. Patrick Antoine.
GRENADA TODAY has obtained the copy of a letter containing an
apology that was prepared by Dr. Antoine and his female lawyer,
Kim George for Maitland to sign aimed at exonerating the government
employee of any wrong-going in a land dispute with a resident
in the south of the island.
The matter arose from a story carried by Maitland’s television
station known as MTV about the bulldozing of a fence that was
put up by True Blue resident, Alban Redhead, on lands allegedly
owned by Dr. Antoine.
Redhead had accused Dr. Antoine of acting as if he is above the
law in the manner in which the tractor was sent in to damage the
fencing. In some local quarters, Dr. Antoine who has emerged in
recent years as a major player in the real estate business in
Grenada, is considered to be “very arrogant” in the
manner in which he treats some people.
An employee with a local company operating at the Point Salines
International Airport (PSIA) is known to have instructed attorney-at-law,
Peter David to institute legal proceedings against the senior
government employee for allegedly striking him following an altercation
at the airport.
This newspaper was told that the controversial Dr. Antoine visited
MTV station to view the broadcast and in the process took away
the tape recording.
He later handed it back to the station after making copies of
the broadcast at facilities within the Government Information
Services (GIS) located within the Ministerial Complex at the Botanical
Gardens.
Maitland was then summoned to a meeting at the Complex in connection
with the airing of the broadcast. As a public service, this newspaper
reproduces the letter that was sent by Dr. Antoine’s lawyer
to the so-called media tycoon:
Mr.
Errol Maitland (trading as “MTV”)
Lagoon Road
St. George’s
26th
September 2006
Dear
Sir,
 |
Dr
Patrick Antoine |
Re:
Dr Patrick Antoine - Compensation for injury to reputation and
to character
I
refer to meeting of 22nd September, 2006, (K. George, P. Antoine,
A. Antoine & E. Maitland), in relation to the captioned matter.
My client has considered the matter and has instructed me to say
that he is prepared to settle the same and to forego further action,
based on the terms outlined hereunder:
(1).
MTV must undertake to publish the apology attached hereto:
(a)
On the front page of the Friday 29th September, 2006, edition
of the Grenada Informer newspaper;
(b)
Before, during and after the nightly news broadcast on MTV
television and radio and before, during and after every other
newscast on the said radio and television stations for three (3)
consecutive days commencing today, Tuesday 26th September,
2006.
(2).
MTV news must issue a letter to the Cabinet of Grenada copied
to Dr. Antoine and his Counsel, enclosing the attached apology;
(3).
Payment of the sum of $20,000.00 East Caribbean Currency, to be
apportioned equally and paid directly to the School for the Deaf,
the Children’s Home situated at Tempe, St. George’s
and St. George’s Anglican Senior School;
(4).
In addition, you are required to pay the legal costs incurred
by Dr. Antoine in the sum of $686.25.
Kindly
indicate your acceptance of the above stated terms and conditions
by signing the attached copy of this letter and returning same
to these offices on or before 4:00 p.m. today.
Yours
truly,
Kim George
Encl.
Cc.Dr. Patrick Antoine
I
agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, and I will abide
by the same
Errol Maitland Date
............................. ...................
Following
is the text of an apology that was prepared by Dr. Antoine and
his lawyer and handed to Maitland for his signature.
The newspaper tycoon has reportedly refused to sign the document
and is said to be prepared to take his chances in an open court
battle.
Public
apology to Dr. Patrick Antoine, His family and Sigma Marina and
Resort Limited
The
following is a public apology issued by MTV News to Dr. Patrick
Antoine, his family and the company known as Sigma Marina and
Resort Ltd.
On Tuesday 19th September, 2006, MTV News broadcast a story concerning
Dr. Patrick Antoine and his involvement with the company, Sigma
Marina and Resort Ltd.
Among other things, it was reported in this broad(cast) that:
(1).
Dr. Antoine was the representative of the company in relation
to its development of certain lands situated at True Blue, St.
George’s.
(2).
As a result of this development, residents of that area were soon
likely to be denied access to the surrounding beach;
(3).
That Dr. Antoine had dealt with a particular resident of the area
in an offensive manner and that he had acted as if he was “above
the law”.
As
a result of investigation, MTV News now knows that these allegations
are completely false, totally untrue without any foundation whatsoever
and were made without any basis or lawful justification.
MTV News hereby retracts the said broadcast in its entirety and
unequivocally apologizes to Dr. Antoine, members of his family
and to the company Sigma Marina and Resort Limited for the resultant
injury to Dr. Antoine’s reputation both as an upstanding
citizen of Grenada and as a committed public official.
As owner of MTV, I, Errol Maitland, hereby join the said station
in personally apologizing to Dr. Antoine, his family and the company
Sigma Marina and Resort Limited.
