Campbell settles defamation suits with Vaz and two MPs as gas station shooting renews safety debate

People’s National Party General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell has ended a long-running defamation dispute with Minister Daryl Vaz, issuing a public apology, withdrawing disputed remarks, agreeing not to repeat them, and paying J$1.5 million toward legal costs. The apology is also being published through traditional and social media under the settlement terms.

Campbell has separately settled defamation claims brought by St Thomas Western MP James Robertson and former MP Lawrence over statements allegedly made at a political meeting in 2023. The cases have reopened debate over whether Jamaica’s political culture is becoming more accountable or whether legal action could dampen open public debate.

Speaking after the settlement, Vaz said he felt “vindicated” after rumours linked to a 1983 incident had followed him since he first ran in the Waterford division in St Andrew. He described the claims as a politically orchestrated attempt to undermine him and said he submitted his 1983 passport and Miami Dade Community College transcript into court proceedings as evidence. Vaz, 63, who has served 19 years in Parliament and 12 as a cabinet minister while winning five consecutive elections in Portland, said closure mattered more than any monetary award and hoped the outcome would encourage cleaner campaigning.

Political commentator Dr Naen Spence said the settlements should ideally mark a return to civility on political platforms, but questioned whether Campbell’s conduct warranted resignation as general secretary. She cited his remark that “when they go low, we go lower” and said he was proving critics right about his temperament for the role.

Separately, a woman was shot during an incident at a FESCO service station, renewing concern about safety in everyday commercial spaces. Philip Chong, president of the Jamaica Gasoline Retailers Association, said members operate cash-management rules requiring attendants to drop takings once they reach $10,000, carry mandatory insurance, and instruct staff not to resist robberies. He said the injured employee’s surgery was successful and she was recovering, but noted a decline in routine police station visits to forecourts and welcomed stronger patrol engagement.

On the international stage, France advanced to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals after defeating Morocco in the quarter-finals. Morocco, which became the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022, missed leading scorer Ismail Sibari, while France’s attack proved decisive despite Kylian Mbappé having a penalty saved.