MINISTER in the Ministry of Housing Anil Roberts has issued a pre-action protocol letter to social media blogger Rhoda Bharath over alleged defamatory statement she made against him on her ‘Newsauce’ Facebook page stemming from a vehicular accident he was involved in on Saturday.
The letter, dated June 22, was issued by attorney Johanna Richards and takes issue with Bharath’s posts made on June 21.
According to the letter that was obtained by the Express, Bharath detailed the early morning car accident involving Roberts, while posing a series of questions regarding the vehicle’s ownership specifically, whether it was a personal or ministry vehicle, and its connection to his official duties. She also referenced a past road accident involving Roberts during a previous ministerial tenure.
Roberts was involved in the accident around 5.23 a.m., along the Beetham Highway in Port of Spain his car was broadsided by the driver of another vehicle resulting in Roberts’ car crashing into the median.
After crashing into the median, another car struck his vehicle.
A passenger in one of the other cars died at hospital two days later from the injuries sustained.
Leading Roberts’ legal team are attorneys Kiel Taklalsingh and Stefan Ramkissoon, with Richards being their instructing attorney.
Richards, in the letter, contend that Bharath’s statements, even those framed as questions, carried an inferential meaning damaging to her client’s reputation. According to the pre-action letter Roberts has interpreted the words to mean he ‘abused public office’, ‘misused public property’, was ‘reckless’, and ‘cannot be trusted in public office’. His legal team asserts these are ‘false and spurious assertions’ that constitute a serious libel.
The pre-action letter highlights Roberts’ extensive public service and profile. First elected to Parliament in 2010, he previously served as Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs and later as an Opposition Senator.
Beyond politics, he is widely recognised as an Olympic swimming coach and a media personality, hosting the former national television show Spalk and the current social media publication ‘Douglar Politics’. His legal representatives emphasised his dedication to protecting citizens’ rights and discussing national issues.
The lawyers also allege several aggravating factors contributing to the harm caused. They claim that Bharath’s statements were made with ‘malicious intent and ill will,’ citing her past critical posts against individuals associated with the United National Congress (UNC).
The letter further accuses Bharath of ‘reckless disregard for whether the statements made by you were untrue or not’ and a failure to conduct proper investigations or seek comment from Roberts before publishing. It suggests her primary aim was to gain ‘more viewers and popularity’ rather than engage in responsible journalism.
In light of the alleged injury to his personal and professional standing, Roberts is seeking substantial damages, including aggravated damages. However, the pre-action letter expresses a willingness to resolve the matter without litigation if Bharath were to comply with specific demands.
Roberts’ attorneys are asking for an ‘unqualified withdrawal of the allegations’ and a ‘public apology acceptable to our client’ to rectify the reputational damage.
Roberts also demands an undertaking from Bharath that she not repeat the allegations or similar claims. Failure to provide these proposals within 28 days will leave Roberts with ‘no alternative but to consider commencing legal proceedings’, seeking significant financial compensation and legal costs, the letter stated.
Bharath in a post on her Newsauce page shared the pre-action protocol letter and wrote, ‘My attorneys will respond to his letter in due course.