Gov't minister Desmond McKenzie files lawsuit against PNP's Damion Crawford

Deputy Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party and Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie has filed a defamation suit against the People's National Party's Damion Crawford.

The suit, filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, relates to comments made by Crawford at a PNP meeting at the Portmore Community College on March 2, 2025.

McKenzie's claim outlines that statements made at the meeting contained "words that were false and defamatory of the Claimant, as a result of which, the Claimant suffers injury, loss and damage".

It adds that "the Claimant has been put to expense and suffered loss and damage including damage to his reputation".

According to the documents filed in court, since Crawford's alleged defamatory statements, McKenzie has had to answer questions from financiers and business interests and even ordinary Jamaican citizens about his integrity.

"The Claimant has been shunned by individuals in public spaces who have concluded that he was involved in malfeasance," the claim further outlined.

In addition, it said despite the defendant’s receipt of a letter of demand dated March 4, 2025, which set out all the relevant facts, the defendant has failed, neglected and/or refused to apologise, retract or offer any amends whatsoever.

McKenzie is seeking aggravated and exemplary damages plus interest.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly named Dayton Campbell as the defendant in the suit. We regret the error.

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