ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) — Dominica on Friday “categorically” denied media reports that it had reached an agreement with the Jamaican dancehall artiste, Tommy Lee Sparta, who was prevented from entering the island in February 2014.

Attorney General Levi Peter told a news conference that no multi-million dollar settlement, as being reported by some regional media houses, had been reached with the singer.

“There is no settlement …with Tommy Lee Sparta. The situation is as it was previously reported to the media which is that there were discussions ongoing between legal representatives of Tommy Lee Sparta and the government of Dominica…which was being conducted…through the Office of the Attorney General in Jamaica.

“A report was referred to me this week of some settlement of three million US dollars. I can say that categorically that that is inaccurate, incorrect and from where I sit and on the instructions I have from the government at the moment there will be no settlement in the sum of three million US dollars.

 “But to put it simply there is no settlement at this point in that matter, there are ongoing discussions,” he told reporters.

Tommy Lee, 26,whose real name is Leroy Russell, was scheduled to perform at a concert in February 2014, when on his arrival with three members of his team — Tiasha Oralie Russell, Junior Fraser and Mario Christopher Wallace — they were all denied entry, detained and deported the following day.

The Dominica government said its action was based in the interest of public safety as several organisations, including the Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches, had denounced the artiste’s appearance saying his music glorifies Satan and promotes lawlessness and violence.

The promoter of the Dominica show, Cabral Douglas, said the stance taken by the government was illegal and he was demanding more than three million US dollars in compensation.

The case is the first before the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for Dominica, which joined the Court in 2015 and Peter said the matter involving Douglas was still before it.

“He has brought a claim under the Revised Treaty of Chaguramas (which governs the regional integration movement) with respect to alleged breaches of that treaty…that is separate and distinct from the Tommy Lee Sparta matter.

“The Cabral Douglas matter there was a hearing recently before the CCJ…as an individual he will have to get special leave from the CCJ to be able to bring the claim,” Peter said, adding that the CCJ has reserved its decision in that matter, “and will give its judgment on that anytime”.