Campbell settles defamation suits with Vaz and St. Thomas MPs amid wider safety debate

People's National Party General Secretary Dr. Dayton Campbell has ended a long-running defamation dispute with Minister of Local Government Daryl Vaz, issuing a public apology, withdrawing disputed statements, 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.

The case stemmed from remarks Campbell made on a political platform roughly three years ago. Vaz told interviewers he feels vindicated after allegations he has denied for decades, saying the resolution matters more than any financial award. He said he submitted his 1983 passport and a Miami Dade Community College transcript into court proceedings as evidence, and linked the controversy to his first local government campaign in the Waterford division in St. Andrew.

In a separate matter, Campbell has also settled a defamation claim brought by St. Thomas Western MP James Robertson and former MP Lawrence over statements allegedly made during a 2023 political meeting.

Political commentator Dr. Nadeen Spence said the outcomes should encourage greater civility on political platforms, but argued that in a reasonable political climate Campbell would have resigned as PNP general secretary. She questioned whether he is proving critics right about his temperament for the post.

Public safety also dominated discussion after a woman was shot during an incident at a FESCO service station. Philip Chong, president of the Jamaica Gasoline Retailers Association, said members operate cash-management rules, including a J$10,000 drop limit, and generally advise staff not to resist robberies. He said the injured attendant was recovering after successful surgery by midday, but opposed armed guards on forecourts, warning that gunfire could put customers at greater risk. Chong also called for police to resume more frequent station visits, noting a recent decline in patrol check-ins.

On the international front, France advanced to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals after defeating Morocco in the quarter-finals. Analyst Janoi Stewart said France's attack proved too strong on the day, though he backed Argentina to go further in the tournament.