Linton says new defamation lawsuit is an attempt to shut him up and end free speech in Dominica

Opposition Leader Lennox Linton says two defamation lawsuits filed against him, one by Chartered Accountant Kieron Pinard-Byrne and the other by 18 government ministers are all in an effort to shut him up.
 
The most recent trial, which began on Thursday, involves 18 government minister who claim that they were defamed by Linton following statements he made at a UWP rally at St. Joseph in May 2014. The cabinet ministers are alleging that he accused them of extorting sexual services from young people seeking their assistance.
 
In his submission to the Court Thursday, Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan, who leads the ministers' legal team, asked the court to strike out Linton's defence stating that it is based on complaints made against one minister in June 2014, and the statements made in St. Joseph could not have been directed at one minister only.
 
Linton says Dominicans are currently in a struggle for the right to free speech.