Scott says free speech important after suing vlogger
Dan Scott (CBE candidate) is the leader of the Cayman Islands National Party. He was EY regional manager until his retirement in June 2023. More (from social media)(CNS): Dan ScottDan Scott (CBE candidate) is the leader of the Cayman Islands National Party. He was EY regional manager until his retirement in June 2023. More, the leader of the CINP and candidate for Cayman Brac East, has said it is very important to protect free speech. As he left the courthouse on Friday after another hearing in his lawsuit against local vlogger Kerry Tibbetts-Whittaker, he told CNS that people can be insulting or mean about him but they can’t defame him.
The hearing was behind closed doors, but his attorney confirmed that the court had ordered Tibbetts-Whittaker to take down the videos in question and edit out the defamatory comments about Scott. Then she is free to repost them.
Scott, who is hoping to become the next premier, said, “Freedom of speech means that people have a right to say mean things about me, they have a right to insult me, but they do not have a right to defame me,” he said. “But freedom of speech is critically important and we must preserve it.” While mean things and insults might be hurtful, people have the right to do it, he added.
Scott said he was looking forward to the election, and welcomed the idea that Juliana O’Connor-Connolly
Juliana O'Connor-Connolly (CBE incumbent) is running with the PPM. She is the current premier and has been minister of education since May 2017. More, the outgoing premier, might return to the campaign trail, as she has been urged to do by her Cabinet colleagues in the UPM administration. O’Connor-Connolly has so far not given any public sign that she intends to heed those calls, but Scott said she had a right to do so.
“I think Ms Julie or anyone else has every right if she wants to offer herself up as a candidate… It’s everybody’s individual choice. If they think they are in the best position to serve the people, they should do it,” he told CNS.
Asked if he was confident he has run a good enough ground campaign in Cayman Brac to win, he cheerfully said, “We’ll see!”
Scott’s party is fielding the largest group of candidates, although none of the twelve CINP candidates has ever been elected to office before. It is the only party at this point with candidates in both Sister Islands seats. Nickolas DaCosta is campaigning for Cayman Brac West and Little Cayman, a seat left open by the retirement of Moses Kirkconnell, who represented the Brac for 20 years.
Check out the CNS Election Section interactive map to see who is running in each constituency.
See the list of candidates and their party affiliations here.
Category: Election News
Change writes: Every constituency has the same issue when their MP becomes a minister. It is not that they stop caring about their area, but Cabinet members have no choice but to tackle issues at national level, and that takes budget, meetings, reports, travel, conference calls, sitting with lawyers to streamline bills and laws — all […]
It would have been more impressive had Dan used his energy and this fleeting voter attention to advocate for the restoration of Cabinet accountability, SIPL disclosure standards, and law abiding that was set aside by Julianna O’Connor Connolly in 2023. It’s a pity that taking down some hack videos posted by a voter seems to have had more personal priority for him than mapping out repairs to governance that might align with a superior character choice.
PPM just did you a big favor Dan by announcing Kenneth as deputy leader.
How the hell can anyone vote PPM knowing that it’s just a matter of time before Joey is ousted and KB becomes Premier…GOD forbid.
KB will be lucky to retain his seat. Joey for GTN is so far uncontested, but would loose to a Rum Cake if one were to declare.
It’s rum cakes supporting Kenneth.
You noticed that…?
He’s their new Mac. Campaign donation and ass-kissing now to get cruise piers.
The way CMR has been spinning this story is disgusting, but it’s no surprise—she’s the mouthpiece for TCCP and is supporting her fellow compatriot in spreading defamatory content. This is the same Sandra who, on live radio, allowed people to accuse the wrong Larry and Linda at the Pines without even verifying her source. Linda called into her show, fuming at the defamation, and all Sandra had to offer was a little “sorry.” Birds of a feather flock together.
Sounds like Scott is doing some damage control. Self inflicted damage.
We down with that Dan but you could have simply cussed her out proper and move on voters would have suffice and probably appreciate that. This high level approach or action of suing folks like her for idiotic and attention seeking comments made the public feel it was bit of an over kill in this election season. Where we are use to hearing foolishness or nonsense from disgruntled constituents and now pod casters on social media.
It seems that Dan Scott is very thin skinned – as it pertains to wanting to become the lead public official in the Cayman Islands.
Yes, Dan Scott is wealthy and has the money to constantly take people to court – this we know Sir. But, you too Sir are a bully – who made you the Disinformation Police – Joe Biden?
You made your living in Grand Cayman and suddenly you decide to come to Cayman Brac and run for a seat in Cayman Brac East – why dont you run in the district that you were registered to vote for so many many years???
Nothing against you good Sir, but again you seem to be very thin-skinned.
Your comments about Miss Julie running do seem to be sarcastic.
You have absolutely no political experience. While like her or not, Miss Julie has a record of Ministerial experience that cannot be argues against.
If Miss Julie does run, you can rest assured you will be not win Cayman Brac East. So, stick minor philanthropic endeavors without having to go out of your way to publicly letting the Brac community know just how much money you are dishing out.
Other than your annual Christmas party and giving out of $25 gift certificates – what have you done for Cayman Brac the past 20, 25, 30 years???
Signed,
Thin skinned Dan – looking to take people to court.
I have a lot of respect for Dan, but the phrase “As he left the courthouse…” is not one you want associated with a fledgling campaign..
Good for Dan. About time we have someone stand up for honesty and integrity.
Honesty and Integrity?
The vote buying in Newlands has begun..your vote is now worth the CUC bill or a tank of Gas.
This suit would seem to give the woman’s claims some credibility. Mr. Scott would have been better off to have shrugged it off as unimportant minutiae. My opinion.
What is Mr. Scott trying to hide?
Nothing. It’s more like what do they have to hide. They are afraid of what he will find when he gets in office.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but hopefully someone that loves you will take the time to explain to you why yours is a stupid one.
Perhaps you missed the part where she was ordered to remove the content which Mr. Scott (and then the courts) deemed defamatory.