Grenada Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell has sued another media house on the island for libel. Since taking office in June 1995, Dr. Mitchell has filed several law suits against the local media for alleged damage to his character and reputation.

The current holder of the Office of the Prime Minister has brought more law suits against nationals than any other Prime Minister in the history of the country.

In the latest court action, the Grenadian leader is targeting Spice Capital radio that is operated by Paul Roberts, as well as city businessman, Peter Andall and Andall and Associates.The libel suit was filed in the Supreme Court Registry on February 15.

Speculation is rife that Legal Advisor to Cabinet, Hugh Wildman of Jamaica is playing a key role in the law suit brought by the Prime Minister. GRENADA TODAY was able to obtain a copy of the STATEMENT OF CLAIM of the law suit.

(1). The Claimant (Keith Mitchell) is and was at all material times the Prime Minister of Grenada and leader of the New National Party of Grenada.

(2). The Claimant is and was at all material times noted as a pre-eminent scholar and scientist who had earned the respect and admiration of his peers during his extensive academic career culminating in his tenure as Professor of Mathematics at Howard University in the United States of America.

(3). The Claimant who is currently the longest serving member of the House of Representatives of Grenada was first elected in 1984 and has held numerous ministerial portfolios in fact he is perhaps the only sitting member to have served as Minister of every Ministry.
He has held the leadership of the New National party since 1989 and is regarded within the Caribbean region as an accomplished Statesman and an important asset and resource and whose contribution to the region's development thrust is widely regarded as pivotal.

(4). The First Defendant (Andall & Associates) is a duly incorporated Company under the Grenada Company Act

(5).  The Defendants (Andall & Associates, Peter Andall & Paul Roberts) own and operate the Spice Capital Radio Station more popularly known as 90.1 FM and which is based in Morne Jaloux in the parish of Saint George's, Grenada.

(6). The defendants produce and broadcast radio programmes that are disseminated throughout the State of Grenada.

(7). On the 10th day of December, 2006 the Defendants caused to be broadcast and published on its radio station as aforesaid a programme which included statements made in respect of the Claimant personally and in his official capacity as Prime Minister of Grenada, knowing the statements to be false or recklessly, not seeking the accuracy of such Statements.

(8). During the course of the broadcast of the said radio programme as aforesaid entitled Public Response presented by Eddie Frederick and including an interview with one David Merchant, the Defendants published the following defamatory words in specific reference to the Claimant:

(A). "Mitchell and his corrupt friends have been enjoying the spoils for the past eleven years and it is just a matter of time for them"

(B). "What I think Keith Mitchell's Government is, I can't think of a more shamelessly corrupt government than the one that in Grenada"

(C). "... Any change in Government will scrap this poppy show enquiry and rightly commence a criminal investigation leading to the arrest, trial and conviction of Mitchell for bribery and all that goes with it"

(D). "... And to think that our people would be sitting idly by when all of this is going on and do nothing you know to have this conman in office, to perpetuate him by their negligence it's really a disgusting reality of itself"

(E). ".... its well, it's important for your listeners to remember that the people Keith Mitchell is representing, is ripping off is you. You are the victims as no bonafied foreign business wants anything to do with Grenada.

(9).  In their natural and the ordinary meaning, the above words meant and were understood to mean that:

(A). The Claimant was involved in dishonest practices.

(B). The Claimant was dishonest, deceitful and fraudulent.

(C). There are dishonest practices by the Claimant and accordingly should result in a criminal investigation.

(D). The Claimant was involved in dishonest, fraudulent and deceitful practices aimed at covering up past illegal activities.

(10). Further, by way of innuendo, the words complained of in paragraph 9 above were understood to mean that the Claimant is fraudulent, deceitful and dishonest in his actions and corrupt in the conduct of the office of Prime Minister of the State of Grenada.

(11). In consequence, the reputation of the Claimant has been seriously injured and he has suffered considerable loss and injury to his reputation as a public figure and his professional integrity.

(12). Unless restrained by this Honourable Court the Defendants may further broadcast and publish or cause to be broadcast and published the said or similar words defamatory of the Claimant as it is the general policy of the defendants to re-broadcast previously aired programmes.

(13). And the Claimant claims against he Defendants:

(A). Damages for Libel.

(B). An injunction restraining the Defendants whether by themselves, their servants or agents or otherwise, from further broadcasting and publishing or causing to be broadcast or published the said words similarly defamatory of the Claimants.

(C). Such further or other Relief.

Nadine Wilkins

Attorney at Law for the Claimant

The Claimant address is Attorney General's Chambers, Ministry of Legal Affairs, Carenage St. George's