PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The President General of the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU), Ancel Roget, said on Wednesday that he had filed a lawsuit for defamation against former prime minister Dr. Keith Rowley.
Roget said that the lawsuit follows a Facebook post by Rowley on August 29, 2022, and that he decided on the legal action after Rowley, who served as prime minister from 2015 to early 2025, failed to accede to his lawyers’ request to retract his statement.
“Since Dr Rowley has failed to retract his statement as requested in a pre-action protocol letter dated 29th August 2022, this lawsuit seeks to vindicate Comrade Roget’s reputation, obtain a full retraction and apology, and pursue appropriate damages for the harm caused,” the OWTU said in a statement.
It said that the post by the former prime minister “falsely attributed criminal behaviour and irresponsible leadership to Comrade Roget and attempted to associate him with unlawful conduct and political subversion.
“Comrade Roget has taken strong exception to the implication that he, in his capacity as a Trade Union leader, orchestrated or endorsed acts of illegality or sabotage that endangered public order and national security,” the statement said, adding that the damage caused by Rowley’s comments was worsened because of his position as prime minister.
“Statements of this nature from someone in such a powerful position not only amplify misinformation but also incite public distrust and hostility toward those who advocate on behalf of workers’ rights and democratic freedoms,” it said.
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