Minister Desmond McKenzie files defamation suit against PNP’s Damion Crawford

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, who is also deputy leader of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), has launched a defamation lawsuit against Damion Crawford, a senior official of the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP), following statements made at a public meeting earlier this year.

The suit, filed on Tuesday, stems from remarks Crawford made at a PNP-hosted meeting at Portmore Community College on March 2, 2025. During his presentation, Crawford allegedly suggested that McKenzie was involved in theft related to the Equalization Fund, and made damaging comments about McKenzie’s character and truthfulness.

McKenzie contends that the statements were “false and defamatory,” causing him significant injury, loss, and damage, including to his reputation. According to the legal claim, these allegations were widely circulated on social media and other online platforms, reaching an extensive but unquantified audience.

In the lawsuit, McKenzie asserts that he has been forced to answer difficult questions from financiers, business interests, and ordinary citizens regarding his integrity. He also claims to have been socially shunned by individuals who have concluded that he was involved in wrongdoing.

Despite receiving a letter of demand dated March 4, 2025, outlining the facts and requesting a retraction, McKenzie says Crawford has failed to apologize or offer any form of amends.

The Minister is seeking aggravated and exemplary damages, along with interest, for the harm caused by the statements.