Legal battle looms between Senators Browne and Alexander over Facebook posts

2026-03-19 - 01:44

Derek Achong Senior Reporter derek.achong@guardian.co.tt A legal dispute between Senators Dr Amery Browne and Phillip Edward Alexander over allegedly defamatory comments appears headed for the courts. On March 5, Browne’s lawyers, Larry Lalla, SC and Genevieve Mohammed, sent a pre-action protocol letter threatening legal action over a series of posts Alexander published on his Facebook page. While the specific allegations cannot be republished due to their potentially defamatory nature, Alexander reportedly suggested that social media users should take note of a purported criminal investigation involving Browne and former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley. The first post by Alexander, who serves as Minister in the Ministry of Housing, was made on May 15 of last year. In mid-February, he allegedly repeated the allegations by publishing a letter he sent to Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro requesting information on whether the claims had been reported by Dr Rowley and asking for a “high-priority” investigation. In her letter, Mohammed asserted that Alexander’s statements were false. “Needless to say, we contend that none of the above is true, and in any trial of this matter you will be put to strict proof thereof,” she wrote, claiming her client’s reputation was severely damaged by the statements. Mohammed added that Alexander’s use of official senatorial letterhead and public dissemination to media and social media indicated a deliberate intention to spread the alleged falsehood. “At all material times, you were aware that no such allegation existed against our client, yet you chose to present this falsehood as official and credible, thereby misusing your political authority to give weight to your defamatory statements,” she wrote. Highlighting the scale of digital circulation, Mohammed said, “The scale of digital dissemination, including the numerous shares and interactions of your publications, has caused enduring and potentially permanent reputational harm, the full extent of which may never be precisely measurable.” She called on Alexander to issue an unqualified apology, undertake not to repeat the allegations, and pay significant damages. Responding to the legal threat on Tuesday, Alexander’s lawyer, Jared Jagroo, denied that the statements were defamatory. “The statements identified in your letter are lawful, protected, and justified expressions made in the public interest concerning matters of political and public accountability,” Jagroo said. He added that political speech about the conduct of Government ministers and Parliamentarians is constitutionally protected. “A fair-minded person could reasonably hold the opinions expressed by our client based on the facts already circulating publicly,” he said, claiming Alexander’s statements were based on statements made by Dr Rowley. Jagroo noted that Browne had not pursued any action against Dr Rowley for defamation and that there is no public record of Browne denying or condemning Rowley’s statements. He further questioned the impact on Browne’s reputation, citing repeated criticism of Browne’s tenure as Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs from 2015 to last year. “In those circumstances, it cannot be seriously contended that robust political commentary concerning your client’s conduct in public office is outside the bounds of lawful expression, and your client is not entitled to defend a reputation which he does not possess,” Jagroo said. Jagroo also confirmed that Alexander intends to call Dr Rowley as a witness. “A witness summons will be issued in the interest of fairness so that he can give his side of the story,” he said.