Finding that now former Attorney General Basil Williams SC had slandered his then predecessor Anil Nandlall SC over allegations of law reports being stolen from the AG’s Chambers, a High Court judge has awarded Nandlall damages to the tune of $10m.
In her written ruling delivered yesterday, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry said it was clear that Williams intended to, among other things, label Nandlall a thief; which was defamatory to him.
Citing a plethora of case law authorities, and in deference to video recording evidence and published news articles, the Judge said that “the inescapable conclusion is that the words published by the Defendant (Williams) meant, and could only mean, in their natural and ordinary meaning that the Claimant (Nandlall) is dishonest; is a thief; committed the criminal offence of larceny; stole property of the State; stole law books; is unfit to be a member of the legal profession; is unfit to be a Member of Parliament; is unfit to be a public figure and a potential leader.”
