The legal team representing veteran journalist Enrico Woolford has firmly rejected demands for retraction, apology, and compensation from Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat. The allegations arose from a Facebook post by Woolford, claiming that Minister Bharrat was questioned by U.S. federal agents upon his arrival at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport.
In a detailed response addressed to Minister Bharrat’s attorney, Sanjeev Datadin of Whitworth Chambers, Woolford’s lawyers—Eusi Anderson, Nigel Hughes, and Roysdale Forde S.C.—outlined their stance. They categorically denied any falsehood, malice, or defamation in Woolford’s publication, asserting that the claims of injury to Bharrat’s reputation are unfounded.
As such, Woolford’s attorneys stated unequivocally that there will be no retraction, apology, or compensatory payments made to Minister Bharrat or his legal team, either by the stipulated deadline of July 14, 2024, or at any time in the future.
The response further maintains that there was no falsehood, malice, or defamation in Woolford’s publication. They assert that any claim of injury to Bharrat’s reputation lacks basis in reality.
Woolford’s legal team also highlighted his commitment to free speech, indicating that he will resolutely defend his publication in both civil and criminal proceedings. They dismissed the threat of criminal proceedings as baseless and lacking in substance.
Additionally the letter underscored Woolford’s significant personal and professional reputation. It noted his Arrow of Achievement award, his status as a national icon, and his distinguished career as a journalist trained at Syracuse University.
Woolford’s lawyers contended that the contents of Bharrat’s legal complaint and subsequent correspondence are bordering on harassment and defamation of Woolford’s untarnished name. They urged Bharrat and his counsel to cease these actions and his legal team expressed confidence in defending any proceedings in any court and warned against misinterpretations of truth.
Minister Bharrat has refuted allegations that he was questioned by United States federal agents upon his arrival at JFK International Airport. The claims, which quickly spread on social media following Woolford’s initial post, were firmly denied by the Minister on Friday.
Minister Bharrat clarified the situation to multiple media outlets, stating, “No, it was courtesies being extended to expedite clearing. I was not detained or interrogated.” He explained that he had traveled to New York urgently due to his father’s hospitalization and deteriorating condition. Caribbean Airlines had notified the authorities that a minister was on board the flight, facilitating expedited processing upon his arrival.
The allegations surfaced through a Facebook post by Woolford, who claimed that Bharrat “was met, escorted off and questioned by Federal Agents at the JFK airport last night, July 11th, 2024.” Bharrat dismissed this claim as “mischievous.”
Home Affairs Minister Roberson Benn corroborated Bharrat’s account, stating that the reports were false and that Bharrat was extended courtesies, not questioned by U.S. authorities.
“The reports are not true and I spoke about it at the Police Award Ceremony this morning. My information is that it is not true. I have gone to the United States and I have been accompanied by protocol people and security people as Minister of Home Affairs. So I don’t know what arrangement they have in place but it has clearly been identified as not being a true characterization,” Benn said. “As far as I am concerned, that is the end of the matter unless there is something else that you have.”
In response to Woolford’s claims, Minister Bharrat, through Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin, has demanded an apology and retraction from Woolford. The attorney’s letter insists on a “clear, unqualified, and unconditional apology and retraction in a form, manner, and terms to be agreed on or before the 14th of July, 2024, at 2 p.m.” The letter also noted that due to the gravity of the false allegations and their wide circulation, Bharrat is entitled to substantial compensation and reasonable legal costs, in addition to an apology. The letter further warned Woolford of potential legal proceedings if a satisfactory response is not received by the stipulated date and time.
The legal team representing veteran journalist Enrico Woolford has firmly rejected demands for retraction, apology, and compensation from Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat. The allegations arose from a Facebook post by Woolford, claiming that Minister Bharrat was questioned by U.S. federal agents upon his arrival at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport.
In a detailed response addressed to Minister Bharrat’s attorney, Sanjeev Datadin of Whitworth Chambers, Woolford’s lawyers—Eusi Anderson, Nigel Hughes, and Roysdale Forde S.C.—outlined their stance. They categorically denied any falsehood, malice, or defamation in Woolford’s publication, asserting that the claims of injury to Bharrat’s reputation are unfounded.
As such, Woolford’s attorneys stated unequivocally that there will be no retraction, apology, or compensatory payments made to Minister Bharrat or his legal team, either by the stipulated deadline of July 14, 2024, or at any time in the future.
The response further maintains that there was no falsehood, malice, or defamation in Woolford’s publication. They assert that any claim of injury to Bharrat’s reputation lacks basis in reality.
Woolford’s legal team also highlighted his commitment to free speech, indicating that he will resolutely defend his publication in both civil and criminal proceedings. They dismissed the threat of criminal proceedings as baseless and lacking in substance.
Additionally the letter underscored Woolford’s significant personal and professional reputation. It noted his Arrow of Achievement award, his status as a national icon, and his distinguished career as a journalist trained at Syracuse University.
Woolford’s lawyers contended that the contents of Bharrat’s legal complaint and subsequent correspondence are bordering on harassment and defamation of Woolford’s untarnished name. They urged Bharrat and his counsel to cease these actions and his legal team expressed confidence in defending any proceedings in any court and warned against misinterpretations of truth.
Minister Bharrat has refuted allegations that he was questioned by United States federal agents upon his arrival at JFK International Airport. The claims, which quickly spread on social media following Woolford’s initial post, were firmly denied by the Minister on Friday.
Minister Bharrat clarified the situation to multiple media outlets, stating, “No, it was courtesies being extended to expedite clearing. I was not detained or interrogated.” He explained that he had traveled to New York urgently due to his father’s hospitalization and deteriorating condition. Caribbean Airlines had notified the authorities that a minister was on board the flight, facilitating expedited processing upon his arrival.
The allegations surfaced through a Facebook post by Woolford, who claimed that Bharrat “was met, escorted off and questioned by Federal Agents at the JFK airport last night, July 11th, 2024.” Bharrat dismissed this claim as “mischievous.”
Home Affairs Minister Roberson Benn corroborated Bharrat’s account, stating that the reports were false and that Bharrat was extended courtesies, not questioned by U.S. authorities.
“The reports are not true and I spoke about it at the Police Award Ceremony this morning. My information is that it is not true. I have gone to the United States and I have been accompanied by protocol people and security people as Minister of Home Affairs. So I don’t know what arrangement they have in place but it has clearly been identified as not being a true characterization,” Benn said. “As far as I am concerned, that is the end of the matter unless there is something else that you have.”
In response to Woolford’s claims, Minister Bharrat, through Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin, has demanded an apology and retraction from Woolford. The attorney’s letter insists on a “clear, unqualified, and unconditional apology and retraction in a form, manner, and terms to be agreed on or before the 14th of July, 2024, at 2 p.m.” The letter also noted that due to the gravity of the false allegations and their wide circulation, Bharrat is entitled to substantial compensation and reasonable legal costs, in addition to an apology. The letter further warned Woolford of potential legal proceedings if a satisfactory response is not received by the stipulated date and time.
