Court rules against PM in 18 Degrees North case
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Television Jamaica is now free to rebroadcast the season three premiere of 18 Degrees North, after a judge today dismissed the injunction barring the episode’s rebroadcast, which has Prime Minister Andrew Holness as its focus.
In a social media post earlier, host of the programme Zahra Burton said the decision to rebroadcast will be made jointly by TVJ and Global Reporters for the Caribbean.
The episode focused on Holness’ still-under-construction Beverly Hills, St Andrew mansion and other properties.
After the episode aired on May 30, the prime minister had rejected the assertions, inferences and innuendoes of the programme, saying they were serious and libellous allegations made against him and his family. Holness also said that the show reflected a coordinated and persistent attempt to tarnish him and his family.
The Beverly Hills house was a hot topic leading up to the February 25 general election, with questions being raised about its source of funding, and a St Lucian company named for his sons being debating in the public arena.
In response to critics, Holness said in June 2015 that he had bought the land seven years ago and started building three years ago, with he and his wife Juliet themselves serving as project managers.