We act on behalf of Sir Nicholas Brathwaite of The Villa in the parish of Saint George, former Prime Minister of Grenada (1990 -95), former Chairman of the Interim Government (1983 – 84), and a former Adviser to late Prime Minister Herbert Blaize (1985 – 87).
Our client instructs us that at a recent political meeting of your New National Party, held at L’Esterre in Carriacou, you falsely, maliciously and dishonestly asserted that you assisted him in the rebuilding of his house which was badly damaged by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004.
Our client wishes to make it abundantly clear that he received no assistance whatsoever, financial or otherwise, from you or your Government in the rebuilding of his house following Hurricane Ivan – a fact of which you are well aware.
Sir Nicholas has instructed us that close to completing the reconstruction of his house, he was approached by the then Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, who enquired whether he needed any assistance. He made it absolutely clear at that time that he would only accept assistance if there was an Act of Parliament with special privileges for former Prime Ministers. In the absence of any such Act, he was not prepared to accept any benefits or privileges in connection with the rebuilding of his house.
The enquiry by the Permanent Secretary followed closely on the heels of criticisms made in Parliament by Mr. Nazim Burke (Opposition M.P.) regarding the shabby treatment meted out to former Prime Ministers following Hurricane Ivan.
Sir Nicholas views your remarks as dishonest and malicious and intended for cheap political gain. Despite the fact that he has remained silent over the past years in the face of several false statements concerning himself and other former Prime Ministers, he now feels compelled to respond to you in order to arrest the spread of this latest blatant falsehood.
Sir Nicholas prides himself as a man of integrity, honesty and decency and is well known for not sacrificing his principles for political expediency. He therefore takes a very dim view of your attempts to falsely use his name for cheap political gain.
Our client calls upon you to cease and desist forthwith from giving the public the false impression that you or your Government assisted him in the reconstruction of his house following the passage of Hurricane Ivan. He also wishes you to publicly withdraw the offending statements with an appropriate apology.
Please be guided accordingly.
Yours faithfully,
CIBONEY CHAMBERS