Member of Parliament Cathy Hughes has sued Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo for damages in excess of $50 million for Slander in respect of words spoken and published by the defendant at a press conference held on Thursday 23rd November 2023.
The press conference was held in Georgetown and was accessible to the public nationally and internationally.
Ms Hughes is also claiming damages in excess of $100,000 for slander in respect of words spoken by the Jagdeo about the Claimant at the same Press Conference. She is also seeking exemplary damages in excess of $100,000 for psychological abuse.
The writ was filed in court this week.
In her statement of claim, Ms Hughes said that she is a member of the National Assembly, chairperson of the Alliance for Change, a political party in the National Assembly, served the Republic of Guyana as a minister of the Government of Guyana, and represented Guyana regionally and internationally.
She said that she is also female and African. She added that Jagdeo at the press conference uttered and caused to be published the following words “from someone, a low life like Cathy Hughes”.
The words ‘low life’ refers to a number of things. These include Criminal, Disreputable, an African Woman or woman of loose moral and disposition, Low class African woman not deserving of respect and/or dignity, conducted her life in a manner which most persons disapproved of; was involved in criminal activities; Deserving of contempt, and a Sub-human African female or female.
She said the only and obvious result of the use of the term “Low Life” was to humiliate, ridicule, degrade and damage her reputation without justification.
Several online and print media entities and newspaper in general circulation have published the utterance made by the Defendant, she added.
Ms Hughes is being represented by the firm Hughes, Field and Stoby.
