(Antigua Observer) Prime Minister Gaston Browne is adamant that a defamation lawsuit threatened by one of the former LIAT employees leading the fight for millions owed in severance will not be successful.
The threat to sue PM Browne has been made by ex-LIAT pilot, Captain Neil Cave, who alleges that Browne made defamatory statements about him and tarnished his reputation during a recent radio appearance.
In his comments, Browne also reportedly said he would not support the pilot’s return to a revived LIAT, and would protest if the government of Barbados – where Cave is from – attempts to facilitate his return.
Speaking to Barbados Today, Cave said Browne’s remarks were a personal attack on him and his “good name”, because he dared to speak out about the “injustices” going on at the Antigua-based airline.
Cave is one of several hundred former LIAT staff seeking more than EC$120 million collectively owed in severance and other entitlements after being laid off in 2020.
Since then, the ex-employees have been urging the airline’s shareholder governments to come together and reach an agreement that would see them receive what they are rightfully owed, but there has been no significant progress made in that regard.