High Court Judge Priscilla Chandra-Hanif today awarded judgment in the sum of $4,099,999.00 in favour of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in libel proceedings brought by Member of Parliament Catherine Hughes. The case arose from Jagdeo referring to Hughes as a “low life.”
Vice President Jagdeo was represented in the matter by Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin.
Justice Chandra-Hanif ruled that Vice President Jagdeo’s remarks about Hughes were protected as fair comment and qualified privilege, as they were made during a heated political exchange on matters of public interest.
The court acknowledged that Hughes, while serving as a minister, had awarded government contracts to her own company, VideoMega—contextually relevant though not central to the case.
Jagdeo’s comments were in response to Hughes calling him “a dangerous, evil man” and accusing him of conspiring with Venezuela over the border controversy. He argued that his response was necessary to defend both his reputation and the national interest amid ongoing tensions with Venezuela.
Law firm Hughes, Fields & Stoby stated that Hughes will appeal the judgment.
