Campbell settles defamation suits as Integrity Commission report draws sharp political reaction

People's National Party General Secretary Dr. Dayton Campbell has settled defamation lawsuits filed by government minister Daryl Vaz, St. Thomas Western MP James Robertson, and former MP Othneil Lawrence over comments he made at a PNP constituency conference in Clarendon on July 27, 2023.

Under the agreement with Mr. Vaz, Dr. Campbell signed a written apology withdrawing the statements and acknowledging they had "no foundation in truth" and were "categorically false." He is required to publish a video apology on his social media platforms by Thursday, July 9, place the apology in the Jamaica Gleaner and Jamaica Observer, and pay $1.5 million toward costs linked to the matter. Settlements with Mr. Robertson and Mr. Lawrence were announced in the Supreme Court on Wednesday by attorney Alexander Williams. Details of those agreements have not been disclosed, though an apology is to be published in the Gleaner and a press conference is expected. Dr. Campbell declined the newsroom's request for comment.

The settlements follow earlier legal action tied to the same political meeting, in which Mr. Robertson and Mr. Lawrence said the remarks suggested they lacked integrity and decency. Dr. Campbell had initially denied the claims, arguing his statements amounted to fair comment.

Separately, the Integrity Commission's annual report, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, is drawing reaction from political commentators. The report states that between April 2018 and March 2026, 70 government officials were referred for investigation over possible illicit enrichment and/or false information, including 14 MPs and one senator. It also records 18 closures after an investigation or preliminary inquiry, involving six MPs, one councillor, one permanent secretary, four heads of entities, and six other public officials. Rulings to charge or prosecute cover five officials: one MP, two councillors, one head of entity, and one other public official.

Former Deputy Speaker and political commentator Lloyd B. Smith said Integrity Commission reports should not conceal who is being investigated, arguing secrecy fuels speculation. He also called for a review of how such matters move through the courts. Political commentator Kevin O'Brien Chang described the Commission as a failing state agency, questioned its value for taxpayers, and pointed to its roughly $2 billion annual budget alongside the absence of any politician being charged or convicted since 1990.

In Kingston, CCTV footage captured an armed robbery at a service station along Deanery Road on Wednesday afternoon at around 1:36 p.m. The video shows a grey Toyota Probox approach a pump attendant before three men exited with what appeared to be firearms, attempted a robbery, shot the attendant, and fled.

In St. Ann, relatives are searching for 66-year-old Owen Hamilton, a bursar at Bamboo Primary and Junior High School, who has not been seen since Saturday, July 4. He left Steer Town for a grave digging in Mountain Road, Bamboo, wearing a blue and black plaid shirt, black pants, and black shoes. Reports have been made to the Bamboo and St. Ann's Bay police stations.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force has rolled out laser speed guns that capture photographs and video, ahead of the national demerit point system set to take effect in October. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green confirmed a two-phase plan to reopen and modernise the Alpart alumina refinery in Nain, St. Elizabeth, with phase one involving an investment of approximately US$490 million.