Prime Minister Gaston Browne recently reflected on previous legal confrontations with political adversaries regarding defamatory remarks, emphasizing his undefeated record in this arena.

Browne was speaking on his weekly radio show, engaged in a broader discussion about his lawsuit against Martin De Luca and associates concerning defamatory statements related to the sale of the super-yacht Alfa Nero.

Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan updated on a progressing case but noted a complication. The Prime Minister is suing Martin De Luca personally in addition to law firm Boies, Schiller, Flexner LLP, requiring personal service to the individual.

Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan

Astaphan stated that De Luca’s assistant was the one served, which does not comply with the legal requirements.

“One of the services of the documents was not in accordance with the rules,” said Astaphan. “The firm was properly served, but the Martin De Leca one was not properly served, so we have to do it again.”

Prime Minister Browne then shifted the focus to his political rival, former minister and ex‑UPP leader Harold Lovell, declaring, “He is next.” He also shared that he plans to donate any winnings from the Lovell case.

“I don’t want his money but I’m going to hurt him financially,” Browne said.

This reflects a broader push Browne intends to pursue when it comes to payouts from his opponents in defamation matters.

“They just want to defame people, destroy people’s character – people’s integrity,” Browne explained. “I have a policy right now; if you have resources and you defame me, I’m gonna make sure you pay and use the monies to empower the people.”

The PM reflected on his defamation suit against former Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who had to pay him $30,000. Browne said he subsequently donated all the money.

“I could have pursued him for hundreds of thousands of dollars, but I said…in the interest of peace, I’ll accept the $30,000 – all I needed was the apology,” said the Prime Minister.

Browne then recounted a legal dispute with Vere Bird III, an attorney and the son of former minister Vere Bird II. According to Browne, Bird III filed a lawsuit against the PM over perceived defamatory remarks, which the court ultimately determined to be true, leading to the case being dismissed.

“The truth is the ultimate defense,” explained Browne. “If however you say things that are defamatory – things that are untrue – then clearly you are subjecting yourself to a suit and you’ll have to pay for the defamation.

In previous statements, Prime Minister Browne has underscored the significance of truth in public discourse, encouraging his political opponents to be cautious with their remarks. He has pointed out the potential repercussions of disseminating false information, affecting not only legal matters but also public trust and credibility.

In what seems to be a rationale for his own commitment to this policy, the Prime Minister appears to be satisfied with his legal victories, whether as a plaintiff or a defendant.

“Even when they would have sued us, we went to court, defended what we said and won,” he said.

“We’ve never lost a case, you know? Just by standing on the truth. Isn’t that amazing?”