KINGSTON – Prime Minister Bruce Golding has started legal proceedings against the American television network, ABC News, after it aired a story claiming he had a relationship with Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who is wanted by United States authorities on drug trafficking and gun running charges.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz said Golding’s lawyers had written to ABC News on the issue.
“I think a statement was issued by the Prime Minister and he is pursuing that on a personal basis,” Vaz said.
Last month, Prime Minister Golding dismissed as extremely offensive, the ABC News report linking him to Coke.
A government statement said that Golding had “categorically” denied the reports on the US television network ABC which described him as a “known criminal affiliate of hunted drug lord” Coke.
Law enforcement officials here have found it difficult to execute the warrant on 41-year-old Coke and have clashed with gunmen in the West Kingston constituency resulting in the death of at least 76 people, including 73 civilians.
Yesterday, Golding, who is also the parliamentary representative for the West Kingston constituency, toured the area including the Coronation Market, sections of which were destroyed by fire during the recent civil unrest.
Golding told reporters afterwards that the market would be re-furbished as part of the overall downtown redevelopment project.
“We had a good look at it and there are some things that need to be done right away to get it back in shape following the operation.
“But the larger purpose of what needs to be done is to look at how we can transform the market facilities because even before the operation, the conditions of the market left so much to be desired,” he added. (CMC)
