Vaz-Campbell defamation case settled as Campbell to apologise and pay $1.5m costs

A defamation claim brought by government minister Daryl Vaz against People’s National Party general secretary and Member of Parliament Dr Dayton Campbell has been settled, with Campbell required to apologise in writing, withdraw the contested remarks, accept that they were false and publish apologies on several platforms. Court-related documents reviewed by CVM also show he must meet $1.5 million in costs tied to the case.

The dispute arose from remarks Campbell made on the political platform in July 2023 that were taken as connecting Vaz to the 1983 killing of Don Smith and to an alleged 2015 plot to assassinate then opposition leader Andrew Holness. Political commentator Jermaine Barrett said the episode should remind candidates not to trade in sensational claims without regard for truth, but he doubted one settlement would sharply raise the tone of campaign talk. He called the outcome a modest gain for political culture and praised the court’s direction that apologies appear on social media as well as in traditional channels.

Separately, the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch has taken delivery of five new laser speed guns backed by PAHO, the World Health Organization, the National Road Safety Council and the United Nations Road Safety Project. Sergeant Tyrone Walker, island coordinator for the technical enforcement unit, said the units can measure speed at up to 1,200 metres — about 200 metres farther than earlier gear — and record video of an approaching vehicle. The five devices are due on the road by month’s end, with the force seeking roughly 100 more advanced units by year-end. Road safety advocate Canute cautioned that gadgets alone will not cut fatalities and urged a wider safe-systems approach covering roads, drivers, vehicles and emergency response.

Fresh Child Protection and Family Services Agency and JCF data show 989 children were reported missing in 2025: 826 returned home, 161 were still missing and two died. Girls made up 83 per cent of cases. From January to May 2026, 468 children were reported missing, with 265 reunited and 203 still unaccounted for. St. Catherine led 2025 reports with 349 cases, followed by Manchester (112) and Clarendon (101). Youth advocate Sabrina Barnes said society remains too reactive and called for stronger community responsibility and earlier intervention in homes and schools.

On school bullying, Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools president Ann-Marie Jones said social media has magnified harm and that rising reports can signal students feel safer speaking up. National Secondary Students Council president Regime Nelson pressed for broader education on bullying’s physical, mental and emotional effects so peers reject it.