​Opposition Leader, Lennox Linton, says he does not believe it is just for a judge to have decided a case without hearing evidence from the claimants or the defendant. His comments come following a decision of High Court Judge, Bernie Stephenson, to strike out his defence in the alleged "rapist ministers case" brought before the courts in 2014, by some 18 Government ministers.
 
18 Government Ministers are suing the Opposition Leader for $1M for defamation following comments made by him at a UWP Rally in May 2014, in which he alleged activities of Government ministers as rape.
 
Speaking on Q95's Hot Seat Friday, Linton said he will not back down, as his statements were made in context of certain factual circumstances, which were reported and outlined in his defence."Let us hear if a higher court will have a similar view and rule similarly" he said.

​In his statement during the 2014 rally, Linton allegedly said, “There can be no honor in a Government that harbors rapist ministers, and upholds extortion of sexual services from young people seeking the facilitation of ministers, to get personal development assistance from the public purse.”
 
Justice Stephenson in her 50-page judgment said, “I have given careful consideration to the written and oral submissions made by the parties in this matter and I have made a finding that effectively disposes of this application.”She further stated that having examined the evidence, “there was no allegation that the ministers of Government had raped anybody.”
 
“The words uttered by the first named defendant (Linton) and rebroadcast by the second named defendant (Q-FM) are seriously defamatory to the claimants…for these reasons, I shall strike out the defence filed by the defendants herein as unsustainable without merit, and an abuse of the court’s process”, the Judge said.

​Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says a simple apology would have prevented the Opposition Leader from being in this current lawsuit, where he may have to pay some $1M to 18 Government Ministers.
 
18 Government Ministers are suing the Opposition Leader for $1M for defamation, following comments made by him at UWP Rally in May 2014.
 
In his statement, Linton said, “There can be no honour in a government that harbours rapist ministers and upholds extortion of sexual services from young people seeking the facilitation of ministers to get personal development assistance from the public purse.”
 
Speaking at a town hall meeting Thursday, PM Skerrit says now the Opposition Leader is now placing his family in a serious state of financial bankruptcy, because of his ignorance.

​Charges against UWP Senator Claudius Sanford, for allegedly causing obstruction at a public meeting held on February 7th 2017, on Kennedy Avenue in Roseau, were dismissed on by the court today Friday, due to the abrupt withdrawal of the matter by the Police.

​Sanford says he is happy for the support he received from Dominicans throughout this entire ordeal. Sanford is of the view that he was maliciously brought before the court by the police and ruling Government; but he will continue to stand for democracy with the policies of the United Workers Party. 

​Meanwhile, Member of the Electoral Commission Wayne James, has congratulated UWP Senator Claudius Stanford on his victory at the courts.
 
 James is also advising Stanford to consider taking action, as it is within his rights to do so.

Chinese Ambassador to Dominica His Excellency Lu Khun says he is pleased with the Government's effort to enhance the quality of life for its citizens.
 
Ambassador Khun was speaking at the Handing Over Ceremony of the Bath Estate and Elmshall Apartment complexes on Wednesday .He said despite the economic recession, the Dominican Government continues to finance several social projects for its residents.

​Chinese Ambassador to Dominica H.E Lu Khun

​Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is now proposing the establishment of a model rabbit farm in Cochrane. He says Government is willing to build the infrastructure and provide financing for the farm, for a 1-year period.
 
Cochrane is well known for its Annual Rabbit Festival, but recently, the village has not been able to sustain the production of rabbit meat for the festival, and in some cases, meat had to be sourced from outside.
 
Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting Thursday, PM Skerrit urged residents to take advantage of this opportunity, when it arises.

​General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union Thomas Letang is advising the leaders of the Dominica Police Force and the Dominica Labour Party Administration, to refrain from invading and suppressing the rights of the Unions, Citizens, and Associations in Dominica.
 
On Thursday evening the DPSU held a massive meeting inside its private compound located near the Dominica Botanic Gardens. During the function, Letang told Q95 FM, the executive saw police Officers entering the premises with recorders, to record their private event.
 
The executive and its members immediately confronted the officers, respectfully and firmly advising them to leave the premises. Q95 confirmed that the officers left subsequently, and no one was harmed during the exchange.

​DFP General Secretary Johnson Boston tells Government stop using politics to segregate organizations, people & communities. Boston is encouraging Dominicans to accept the fact that politics is a part of life, however, he says persons should not engage in using politics to breed segregation and divisiveness.
 
Boston says citizens must refrain from staying quiet, and must participate in consultations with all political parties. He is also advising citizens to engage in constructively criticizing the government and opposition parties, as the political issues being discussed or debated, should never be taken in a personal manner.

​Meanwhile, Boston is calling on the DLP Government to get seriousness about developing the country’s infrastructure and economy, so as to provide more financial benefits and employment options for its citizens.
 
Boston told Q95 the Dominica Freedom Party has time and time again justly congratulated the Government, on some of the projects it completed. However, there is room for much improvement in handling and executing other project’s promised, since the DLP came into office in 2004.

​UWP Senator Isaac Baptiste has expressed kind sentiments to Economist Dr. Thomson Fontaine, on his new appointed as Senior Economic and Financial Policy Advisor to the Government of South Sudan.
 
Baptiste is advising the DLP Government to acknowledge the professionalism and credibility shown by Dr. Fontaine, as he is truly one of the best economists on island.

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Dominica until 6pm today due to a Trough System generating unstable weather conditions across Dominica since Wednesday night.
 
According to a release from the Dominica Meteorological Service, shower activity and possible isolated thunderstorms are expected to continue to affect Dominica up to Saturday afternoon. Reports have indicated a rise in the levels of some rivers, blocked roadways and temporary flooding of some roadways.
 
As a result of the saturated soil conditions and the projection for additional shower activity, persons in areas prone to flooding, landslides and falling rocks are advised to be vigilant and to exercise extreme caution as these hazards are already occurring.
 
Motorists and pedestrians are also advised to avoid crossing flooded road or water-ways. This warning may be further extended should conditions become necessary.

Over $4Million has already been spent to address housing needs in the Castle Bruce Constituency.
 
This was announced by the MP for that Constituency Johnson Drigo.
 
He said 20 families were recipients of new houses from two (2) housing establishments in Castle Bruce and San Sauveur.
 
Drigo was addressing a Town Hall Meeting in Petite Soufriere Wednesday.

​Drigo also revealed that over $300,000 has already been committed for housing renovation in Petite Soufriere.

MP for the Castle Bruce Constituency Johnson Drigo