Opposition spokesman on finance Julian Robinson has rejected a demand from First Rock Real Estate Investments that he issue a further apology for a statement he made last week in relation to the company and said he will “robustly” defend any legal action the firm decides to take in the matter.

Robinson’s position was outlined in a letter from his lawyers, Hylton Powell, on Thursday after First Rock, in a demand letter dated June 11, 2025, said that he needed to “air a prominent, full and unqualified apology in a manner and on terms to be agreed; undertake not to repeat the defamation complained of by First Rock; and pay damages for defamation.

Robinson had commented on last week’s announcement by Sagicor Bank Jamaica that it has placed into receivership the lands under mortgages for the Hambani Estates development granted to First Rock Real Estate Investments.

In a social media post followed by a news release, Robinson erred in his comment on the receivership.

However, after the error was pointed out to him and a demand was made by First Rock for an apology, Robinson issued a correction, highlighting his error and apologised.

At the same time, he insisted that the finance minister needs to “immediately disclose the extent of government investments in the company, given that three government entities — the National Insurance Fund, Norman Manley International Airport, and the Airports Authority of Jamaica — are listed among the 10 largest shareholders”.

Added Robinson: “This matter is of grave national importance. We need to know how much taxpayer money was invested in First Rock through these agencies, what the current value of those investments is…”

However, on Wednesday this week, First Rock’s attorneys, Dabdoub, Dabdoub and Company, wrote to Robinson saying that his “statements are categorically false” and that there is no “indication that taxpayer funds are at risk due to investments in First Rock”.

The law firm said that Opposition spokesman on finance Robinson’s “statements carry great weight and at all times affect investors’ decisions and analyses when investing in companies such as our client”.

The law firm also said that Robinson’s statements were “calculated” to give him and his party political gain at First Rock’s expense and that, notwithstanding his “apology and retraction”, the statements “have caused, and continue to cause, significant embarrassment and reputational damage” to the company.

However, in response, Robinson’s attorneys pointed to the swiftness with which he apologised on social media as well as in other media. The attorneys also said the original post was deleted and removed from all platforms to which it had been posted.

“In addition to the public apology, our client also privately provided your client with his apology and confirmation that the original post had been deleted and removed from all social media platforms,” the law firm said.

The lawyers also argued that but for the error, which Robinson corrected, “his post was fair comment on a matter of significant public interest”.

Additionally, the law firm said that Robinson denies First Rock’s claims that he maliciously made the post or published it in a manner that was deliberately misleading. Robinson also denied that the post was circulated for political benefit.

“Our client unequivocally rejects your client’s claims for compensation and a further apology. In the event your client decides to proceed further with this matter we are authorised to accept service of any proceedings you may have instructions to file against our client. You may be assured that any such proceedings will be robustly defended,” Hylton Powell said.