MINISTER within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud, has initiated a defamation lawsuit against journalist Leroy Smith, who operates the online publication “Big Smith News Watch.”

The case, filed in the High Court of Demerara on Friday, centres on allegations of false and defamatory statements published by Smith’s news agency.
The minister’s claim said the controversy began on October 14, 2024, when “Big Smith News Watch” published an article claiming that a sitting government minister was part of a plot to have the Special, Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) intensify investigations against senior police officials, including Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus and Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken.

The article in question, titled “text messages forwarded by minister exposes plot to have SOCU target ‘Top Cop’ and Brutus,” was circulated widely on social media platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp and included the minister’s name and photograph.

The legal document stated that the article included inflammatory language, suggesting that Persaud used his position to orchestrate a “bogus and fabricated investigation” against these senior police officers.
In the filed claim, Persaud contended that the article has severely damaged his reputation, causing him distress and embarrassment. The claim seeks damages exceeding $5 million, along with aggravated and exemplary damages for the alleged libel.

Furthermore, Persaud is calling for an injunction to prevent Smith from making further defamatory publications, and demands the removal of existing posts related to the allegations from the news agency’s website and social media accounts.

Persaud, who transitioned from a businessman with decades of experience in the media industry to a government minister in September 2020, asserted that the claims made by Smith are entirely unfounded and lack any basis in reality.

He emphasised that he has no involvement in the investigations against Brutus and Hicken and has never publicly commented on the matter.

“The defendant [Smith] has repeatedly published articles and made social media posts to criticise and place other senior police officers in a poor and negative light, whilst openly questioning the investigation and the sending on leave of policeman Calvin Brutus,” the claim stated.

In his lawsuit, Persaud noted that the publication’s assertions have resulted in him receiving numerous inquiries from friends and family, further complicating his public duties as a minister.

Persaud’s legal team, comprising attorneys Sanjeev Datadin, Khalif Gobin, and Mohanie Anganoo, has criticised Smith for failing to retract or apologise for the statements, despite being given the opportunity to do so.
They said that the journalist’s mocking response to the minister’s demand letter for a retraction and apology, was unprofessional, designed to make fun of and embarrass their client and encourage others to do the same.

Persaud, through his attorney, had demanded a retraction and apology from Smith following the publication of the alleged defamatory article by “Big Smith News Watch.” The missive threatened legal action if these demands were not met by 14:00hrs on October 16, 2024.