OPPOSITION LEADER Edward Seaga is appealing against a Supreme Court ruling that he must pay $3.5 million in damages for libel to retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Leslie Harper.
Mr. Justice Patrick Brooks ruled on December 11, last year that Mr. Seaga defamed Mr. Harper's character at a meeting in Kingston on March 6, 1996. The award is for injury to Mr. Harper's reputation and aggravated damages.
Mr. Seaga is appealing on the ground that the judge failed to apply the proper test relating to qualified privilege and is asking the court to overturn the judge's ruling. He is also contending that the award was inordinately excessive in light of Mr. Harpers's failure to show that he had suffered any damages.
The appeal was filed in the Supreme Court Registry on Tuesday.
Mr. Seaga's comments at the meeting stemmed from reports that the contract of the then Commissioner of Police, Colonel Trevor MacMillan, was to have expired within three months and Mr. Harper was one of the persons considered as eligible to succeed him.
