UWP takes legal action against Austrie, Albert and Kairi FM

Linton has instructed his attorneys to file anti-defamation lawsuit. File photo

Political Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) and leader of the parliamentary opposition, Lennox Linton, has announced that the party’s attorneys have been instructed to take legal action against Minister for Agriculture Reginald Austrie, talk show host Simeon Albert and radio station Kairi FM for alleged defamation.

Linton said the action was being taken because of statements made by Austrie on the “Heng” programme on Kairi FM accusing the party of writing to Ross University asking them not to return to Dominica following the school’s relocation out of the island after Hurricane Maria.

“As a result of the statement by Reginald Austrie on Kairi FM this morning,  I have instructed my attorneys to proceed with legal action on behalf of myself and the members of the national executive of the United Workers Party,” Linton stated on the UWP’s weekly radio programme on Q95FM on Thursday night, August 2, 2018. “Because this has to stop. This constant lying and lying and lying to denigrate people, to put them in bad light, to score political points, it has to come to an end and I have instructed my attorneys that we ought to proceed against Reginald Austrie, Simeon Albert, the host of the programme and Kairi FM, the radio station.”

Meanwhile, on the question of the uncertainty surrounding Ross University’s return to the island, Linton said he believes that Ross’s role as a major driver of economic activity on the island, necessitates that the prime minister should address the nation urgently on the way forward. He explained that the operations of the 40 year old institution, which was born and raised in Dominica, accounted for more  than 30% of economic activity before Maria.

“When we look at the Ross income earners for service providers in (the) Dominica economy, we can talk about the area of travel and airfares that go to LIAT, and the passenger taxes, the landing fees that go to the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. We can talk about the inbound and outbound logistics and ground transportation costs for travelling to and travelling from Dominica, and the importation of basic needs that Ross students engage in from time to time,” the Opposition Leader explained.

Very significant, Linton pointed out, was the investment made by Dominicans in providing housing for Ross University students and faculty over the years.

“Recent estimates put the total at risk investment in housing stock in the Picard area at over $50 million EC dollars, all borrowed from local financial institutions. These loans are serviced directly from the student rental income which ranged from $400 US to $700 dollars US per unit, per month. That equates to millions of US dollars coming into the Currency Union just because of Ross which played a pivotal role in sustaining our external US dollar reserves,” Linton noted.

He also highlighted the economic benefits to agriculture, the utility companies, restaurants, transportation, entertainment, the multiplier effect of all of these anciliary services on the Portsmouth economy and resultant tax benefits to the government from the operation of Ross on the island.

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52 Comments

  1. New Leader required now
    August 5, 2018

    This is Childish … Grow up and look to the strategies required to lead your party victory. This is why you are far from ready to lead the country let alone the UWP. Focus on being election ready and winning something.

  2. Man bites dogs
    August 4, 2018

    Linton old man you are a loser no matter what you and your stupid …… try we will be kicking your backsides right left and centre, You know what freedom party will be the next opposition party in Dominica,It’s time to kick Linton and his calamity clowns out of Dominica. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      August 5, 2018

      Guy you are so ignorant that you cannot see who is the real looser. Idiots like you who are propping the notorious, corrupted liar; a confounded looser Roosevelt Skerrit, who have destroyed Dominica  are the real looser.

      Roosevelt stupidity has caused Ross University which generated more than 30% to the economy of the country, will be contributed to the economy of Barbados. And let me give you an example: Roosevelt recent budget is about nine hundred seventy million dollars.

      For your information fool 30% of that is approximately two ( $291, 000,000.00) hundred ninety-one million dollars you do not know Skerrit has lost from Ross alone during a fiscal year!

      Who is the bigger looser, a fool like you and Roosevelt, Dominica; or Lennox Linton? Lennox did not chase Ross out of Dominica; Roosevelt Skerrit did!

      And to the mathematical pundits; I did my calculations mentally, if I erred, make your own calculations, to determine how much we are loosing now with the absents of Ross…

      • Lovely Dominica
        August 6, 2018

        Telemaqua give it a rest instead of blaming the pm maybe you should blame your ignorant power hunger opposition too.Do you remember the burning of Roseau and blocking of the streets on Feb 7th 2017? When the U.S embassy in Barbados had to order ALL Americans to stay indoors I hope you remembered that day .Also blame your evil minded linton for giving Dominica a bad name for going on CBS and talking all that crap about Dominica. You all are sick evil and wicked people of that opposition party. Of all other people linton will but become pm of Dominica because he do not fit to be any p.m tell him come better than that as of now no pm seat for him.

      • Born Dominican
        August 10, 2018

        He just told u it was Linton that was the looser deal with it ?head

  3. Joseph John
    August 4, 2018

    If “court cases” alone will not stop this “political roro” that is making Dominica an unsafe place and keeping us behind. There is just too much negative attitude that is making Dominicans look like a wild people and making us look like an unsafe place. The students and executive of Ross perceived Dominica as an unsafe place to live, as being politically unstable. Its a question of risk control. If students get hurt Ross becomes liable….big time. So they are protecting themselves…big time by going to a safer place.
    Just listen to and read the name calling, the accusations, the threats and the blaming that’s
    bombarding the Nation. Issues are not discussed in a reasonable way instead people are disparaged in every worst way possible.
    We need to change this negative and regressive mind set NOW !! Don’t blame…change.

  4. Sue Donym
    August 4, 2018

    Sue dem eh this is your cry now…. when Linton then got sued allu was crying. I just hope in the same way allu doh get a mal vate when the judgement on the ministers are rapist comes down. Suing Reggie will only net a fraction That million dollars allu will raise on Q wait

  5. dj
    August 3, 2018

    It’s about time the opposition take those guys to court, especially simeon albert.

  6. Sisserou
    August 3, 2018

    No need to sue them ’cause all dem man soo :lol:

  7. mine
    August 3, 2018

    If in case is a letter publish it to the public.

  8. A_DAMassive
    August 3, 2018

    While there is a potential economic earthquake coupled with a tornado, which is embedded within a hurricane… due to the departure of the country’s largest private employer Ross University, people are attacking and politicizing this regrettable move that clearly could have, and should have been avoided! It is downright shameful, absolutely disgraceful, and totally heartless, that politics has so disparagingly separated we Dominicans.
    I pray that we can one day recapture that patriotic fervency that permeated our socialization even if we were not consciously aware of the presence of this patriotism, in the days long ago, when we were our brothers keepers, and every child in each village was raised by the community.

    I am just so tired of becoming a fashion police as soon as I land in Dominica, being cosmetically (color) conscious about what I ware. That is what politics has done to the Nature Isle.

    God bless all Dominicans: blue/red… red/blue and all others.

    • Paul Rossnof
      August 4, 2018

      Not as long as Skerrit is PM of Dominica. It’s him that’s responsible for the division and it’s him that gives Dominica a bad name.

  9. Rivierre cyrique
    August 3, 2018

    Power hungry is what you guys fighting for but I haven’t seen any unification by the opposition and to unite Dominica. I’m a voter and I’m watching. Is Dog eat Dog politics in Dca and no unity. The Govt never do anything good for the opposition and the Govt need to get their act together and provide for everyone. it’s one blood, one party one Nation. stop feeding or covering one set of homes. Maria blew away all of us nut what I see going on is shameful. An advice to Mr Skerrit plz some parliamentarians are not doing their jobs and I don’t expect you to come and do it for all of them but maybe change is needed and pretty quickly in constituencies such as Laplaine, cottage, Grandfond, Portsmou th,.

  10. Damn marigot
    August 3, 2018

    True talk but power is all they want and when they have it is dejavour all over again. All politicians are just the same. fighting for power and making promises and do nothing and Rob the country revenues. yo tout say mem. We need a new party with new ideas. uwp is worst than the sitting administration with their present Leader. waste of time.

    • Garrel jeanpierre
      August 3, 2018

      Omg MooMoo how can u compare 4 and a half years with 18yrs smfh it’s common sense to give them a chance to f up and forget them again for 18 yrs than having a dictatorship of 30 yrs gosh I’ll still love my country and every time I come to vote I’ll vote Labour to help keep all under control lol

    • Me
      August 4, 2018

      No wonder you political leanings are towards th lowest common denominator. Your level of literacy is appalling.

  11. BobE
    August 3, 2018

    If SCL is the source of the fake letter circulating then the UWP is just as responsible. That’s what the propaganda machinery of the SCL does. That case goes nowhere quickly……

  12. August 3, 2018

    I don’t profess to be a Christian the way it is presently practiced, but there is a passage that says,”how great it is in the sight of the CREATOR to see brothers living in love with each other” today, men who are supposed to be brothers both at home and public, have become adversaries with “ANIMALISTIC” dimensions, hate and distrust have become the norm in every day transactions. The perils of LAW seems to be the Olive branch that brings a temporary peace. GRENADA , should be our guide on how small Island politics can be very destructive. But then again, this is the form of self rule that was given to the people by those SLAVERY benefited, Politics of hate and destruction, Dominica is not isolated, it’s the same in all the Islands. Black on Black crime in all form and fashion

  13. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    August 3, 2018

    ” travel and airfares that go to LIAT, and the passenger taxes, the landing fees that go to the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. ”

    Note: the word landing fees, and takeoff fees paid by any aircraft should be trumpeted in the ears of every Dominican; since most of the nation has absolutely no idea that  air crafts pays for landing and takeoff. 

    Imagine had the Labor Party not shut down the construction of the International Airport the UWP was building more than twenty years ago, can one imagine the amount of revenue that would be generated into the economy of the country?

    Now Roosevelt is singing the chorus to Edison James song when he said ” the International Airport will bring more people to the country.” Roosevelt and his predecessors has screwed the economy of the country.

    People need to recognized that and vote them out of power.

    All these bastards do is get on Radio and talk fart making promises, while nothing is accomplished, no job creation,…

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      August 3, 2018

      Continue:

      You see the impression people such as Athie Martin, Ian Douglas, the late Roosevelt Rosie Douglas,
       the young handsome Roosevelt Skerrit, now Dr. Punjab, the late former prime minister, Charles, and Rivire, all of them gave the the people is that Aircraft lands and takeoff for free.

      They never spoke about the essentials it brings to the economy they spoke crap about Edison want it to import drugs into the country. If there were ten institutions such as Ross University in Dominica, the fact there is no International Airport in the country, they all would have eventually pull out of the country!

      Roosevelt this is where we separate the men from the boys; You are a fool, you allowed Ralph Gonzales to make make an idiot out of you made you spend more than half of a billion dollars, more than it would take to build an International Airport on Douglas-Charles.

      The roosters has simply come home to roost, you are stupid, and your stupidity  now haunts you!

  14. Reon Latouche
    August 3, 2018

    Sue them!!!.. Lets aim for the CCJ because we know there is no justice in DA!! Get some real good lawyers… We will put our money where our mouth is and support the cause!

    • FORKIT
      August 3, 2018

      also no justice in the ccj… governments that elect judges, they will protect their bread and sausage

    • Me
      August 4, 2018

      Good lawyers and CCJ do not equate.

  15. Lipeye
    August 3, 2018

    Oh please. I didn’t realise there were still this many ignorant people about. :-D

  16. %
    August 3, 2018

    Very good move. I applaud profusely,the team of Patriots for this move ….
    Where The Wicked Rule The People Mourn
    This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party!!!

    • Me One
      August 4, 2018

      One sick puppy %, NO NO NO, Are you really rejoicing? Behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining. You can’t hurt our NATION anymore.

    • Watching you good
      August 4, 2018

      Haha. Linton wants to take people to court?. Same linton that because of his huge uncontrolled mouth, cost his supporters hundreds of thousands. They had to raise money to pay all his debts. Re the pinard burne matter.

      Smfh

  17. mine
    August 3, 2018

    Celebrating the closing of Russ is very Shameful.

    • %
      August 3, 2018

      That what evil ones like you and your red heads will do, “””Celebrate”””,but patriotic Dominican’s are lamenting the move ,and criticizing DLP for not doing what they had to do to keep Ross on island. Shame on you!!
      Where The Wicked Rule The People Mourn
      This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

      • mine
        August 3, 2018

        Cold hearted people like % asking bad thing to happen to DA.

      • %
        August 3, 2018

        @mine
        Where The Wicked Rule The People MOURN
        This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

  18. LifeandDeath
    August 3, 2018

    The Politics in DA have come to a real WAR ZONE environment. If is one thing we can be certain of Reggie, Simeon and Krazy T are all out of ideas in the political arena.
    The situation is so horrid right now that they will resort to any means necessary to paint a bad picture of the opposition party, because the writing is on the wall that the DLP can do no better.
    They are now washed up and maybe only good to put as relics in the Museum, as an example on how NOT to run a country.
    So silly that they think that Dominicans will believe that Ross would make a decision on advise from the opposition as opposed to the ruling party’s enticements. I mean if Dominicans don’t wake up now idk when.
    These fellas has done their time and it shows because private foreign investors like Ross have lost all confidence in their ability and that is the hard truth of why Ross decided to go, at least until this Gov’t is booted from office. Ross will return under different leadership. Dominicans will…

    • Ibo France
      August 3, 2018

      I can’t agree more with all your factual assertions. It’s quite conspicuous that the current totalitarian regime of Dominica is completely and totally bankrupt of ideas. They have lost their way. Their singular objective is to stay in power at the expense of the people. Their sole obsession is to lie, cheat, defame, confuse, deprive, and blame to secure another victory at the upcoming elections. The number of people trapped in abject poverty is swelling, disconnections of water and electricity mounting, vagrancy mushrooming, businesses disappearing, tourism fading, roads and bridges crumpling, agriculture suffocating, healthcare system disintegrating, national security found wanting. Frankly, nothing is happening for the poor man and woman. Everybody is suffering except for a privileged few.

  19. Silver fox
    August 3, 2018

    HA HA said the clown mama look a boo boo the funeral director is beginning to feel the heat, I will be waiting and watching from the stands.

    • Shaking my head
      August 3, 2018

      Are you a ……….? Really??? Your level of intelligence is alarming

  20. kalaloo
    August 3, 2018

    well Ross is officially gone according to the undertaker.

  21. Floridian Diaspora
    August 3, 2018

    Good move Mr Linton. An eye for an eye. The laborats love to sue so show them that two can play that game. This sounds like a typical labor move. They don’t develop the island neither do they employ the people. When their actions bear bad fruit they blame they opposition, if by some sort of weird luck it bears good fruit they take credit. Ross moving out of the island was the laborats party fault. As a well traveled man, I can assure the public that all the other Caribbean islands have lots of things that would make Ross students feel like they’re back home. But when you come to Dominica that is not the case. Dominca does not provide the activities and the atmosphere like Trinidad can for their Caribbean union college students. The state of our pothole roads and Bailey bridges are enough for them to make a u turn. Maria was not the reason for Ross exit, it was just an excuse for them to do what they’ve been long wanting to do since that monster named Skeritt came into office

    • %
      August 3, 2018

      I fully endorse the move
      Where The Wicked Rule The People Mourn
      This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

      • mine
        August 3, 2018

        Wicked is when Roseau was set on fire and Salisbury road was burnt that’s what you called wicked and evil

      • original Mahaut Man
        August 3, 2018

        You are a JA.Thats how you guys want to get in power,that will never happen.Jah is in control ,Dominica will rise again.

      • Joseph John
        August 4, 2018

        Its a great move, a very great move,,,,,the greatest move of all. Even the publisher Kairi is sued. But remember that our grandma warned ” Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones”. Although this case has no merit, a precedent is set for backlash. So look out D N O and Facebook….publishers are usually hit hardest.
        Look out for those who “mop” heads of government conference putting security and protocol at risk of getting terminated. Or asking the Speaker “what is your beef”
        So the madame speaker you do not have to ask anyone to “withdraw” when they call you bias. You just have to call you lawyers, but you do not even have to call….you are lawyer. Talk about can of worms.

  22. Filip
    August 3, 2018

    Yep take them to court … that’s the begging off hell… when they lose that ellection we the people will unleasee hell on skerite and his men… they will pay for what they done to the people of Dominica… u cause ross to close down … u will pay … jail we want for you skerite ..Austrie. .. tony astaphans …and the rest

  23. Man bites dogs
    August 3, 2018

    HA HA HA, Mama look a boo boo the funeral director is beginning to feel the heat, I will be waiting and watching from the stands!!!

    • Floridian Diaspora
      August 3, 2018

      Everything for you is a joke while d country sinking. Go back to your cage dog sucker

      • Man bites dogs
        August 3, 2018

        Die-as-poor, I’m having a laugh because you idiots of so-called Linton supporters are stupid losers idiotic scumbags by the way you and others like you are the biggest” SUCKERS “so 4xxxx to you in la la Land.

    • Franky
      August 4, 2018

      U that damn Dog bitter sacray coshony .. oh ou sorti ner? Sacray mal coshor labourite. Sorti la mal boohoe vohars …. ale Co Kay chien.. sacray mal pop.

  24. jani
    August 3, 2018

    Dude enough with the lawsuit. How many lawsuit have you won with this nonsense. Ross leaving affects a great many Dominicans. if you become Prime Minister it will be your problem as well. So my advise to you and Skerrit work together to find a solution

    • %
      August 3, 2018

      You must talk to Skerrit about this working together business.The opposition has offered to help this helpless DLP myriads of times. With all their incompetencies,they have refused .Good Job Honourable Linton and the other Patriots.
      Where The Wicked Rule The People MOURN
      This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

    • johnnie Boy
      August 3, 2018

      Jani no one can work with Skerrit he has been there for 19 years he must leave and make way for new ideas and initiatives . The economy is declining we need to built back our country .

    • Damn marigot
      August 3, 2018

      True talk but power is all they want and when they have it is dejavour all over again. All politicians are just the same. fighting for power and making promises and do nothing and Rob the country revenues. yo tout say mem. We need a new party with new ideas. uwp is worst than the sitting administration with their present Leader. waste of time.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      August 5, 2018

      Yes, he must forget the law suit now because he is suing Austrie for slandering his name; and that of the rest of the opposition.

      However, when he made a comment on a political platform about women who are (were victimized) by ministers of government when they go to solicit help, it was okay for even Justina Charles to sue him contending that she also was slandered.

      To this day we have yet to hear Justina say who she was accused of  violating “man or woman?”

      That would be very interesting to find out it was a woman oui!

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

      Fortunately I know certain woman who had to run out of a government minister office; and we also know that Labor Party Minister had to resign from Skerrit government, because he was arrested on allegations that he molested a minor!

      Yet they sued  Lennox for more than a million dollars; no wonder that case is dormant!

  25. Liz M
    August 3, 2018

    We are banking on these guys to win the next election simply because the current fellas have pretty much outlived their usefulness, unless we think they need 18 more years; but this suit is trivial and will only serve to distract uwp from their objective. Your only need is to take this as an opportunity to state your stance on the issue, the media will carry it. Simple, just chip at them by REACHING OUT TO THE PEOPLE on issues they bring up. Case closed! What, do you expect them not to lie when voters you you supposed to target claim you have allegedly lied on Skeritt, and lost case(s)?

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