State Minister Alando Terrelonge files defamation suit against councillor
Published:Wednesday | July 15, 2020 | 12:00 AM
State Minister for Education Alando Terrelonge has filed a defamation lawsuit against Ainsley Parkins, the councillor for the Southboro division in his constituency.
Terrelonge, the St Catherine East Central MP, is alleging that Parkins defamed his character while speaking about the September 2016 stabbing death of a man at the home of attorney Patrick Bailey.
On Wednesday, Terrelonge could not be contacted for a comment as repeated calls to his cell phone went unanswered.
However, Parkins confirmed that he is the defendant in a suit filed by the state minister but reserved further comments.
"I have been served with the court notice, but that's all I will say at this time. There is a litigation process that will take place so I have no further comments," Parkins said.
Parkins, a two-term councillor, will be vying for re-election on a People's National Party ticket in the upcoming local government polls.
1n 2016, Terrelonge upset Arnaldo Brown in the general election to win the St Catherine East Central seat by fewer than 300 votes.
Terrelonge will be going up against the PNP's Raymond Pryce in the next general election.
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