Energy Minister Daryl Vaz yesterday welcomed the settlement of a defamation lawsuit between himself and People’s National Party (PNP) General Secretary Dayton Campbell, describing it as vindication from what he called a “politically orchestrated rumour” that began four decades ago.Vaz, along with co-claimants, former Member of Parliament Othneil Lawrence and St Thomas Western Member of Parliament James Robertson, had filed the defamation suit against Campbell over statements he made during the PNP’s Clarendon North Western annual conference in July 2023.However, ahead of the start of the trial in the Supreme Court yesterday, attorneys representing the claimants announced that the matter had been amicably settled. The parties subsequently signed the terms of settlement, which were endorsed by Justice Trecia Hutchinson Shelly. The terms were not disclosed.“I am humbled and, as I always say, God doesn’t sleep, and who God bless no man curse. Today I am being vindicated after 40 years with a very strong and unequivocal apology from none other than the general secretary of the PNP, whom I took to court for defamation.“That rumour was started by people associated with the PNP, and for the general secretary to come and admit categorically that there was no basis for it is vindication after 40 years,” Vaz said.“The apology is worded very strongly and, at the end of the day, I feel vindicated despite the fact that this has been going on for 40 years. Based on what I have settled – the monetary figure, the apology and the retraction – I believe this matter has now been settled once and for all.“Most importantly, I admitted into evidence a copy of my passport from that period, showing that I was out of the country, as well as a transcript from Miami Dade Community College,” he said.Vaz thanked everyone who had supported him over the years, especially his constituents in Portland Western. The timing of this, he said, was perfect as he is in his last years of public service after being in politics for more than 20 years.Earlier, Vaz posted on X that he and his family were ecstatic about the outcome.“...Today, as the Jamaica Labour Party celebrates 83 years, my family and I also celebrate a personal victory regarding the most distasteful political smear campaign launched against my family and me over the past 40 years,” he wrote.Campbell, meanwhile, acknowledged that there was no basis for the allegations he had made against Vaz and his co-claimants.“Some comments were made in which I unwittingly communicated something that I shouldn’t have communicated, because there is no basis for me to suggest anything that was being alleged,” Campbell told reporters following the settlement.He said that after discussions with the three men, they reached an agreement under which he would issue an unreserved apology. The apology is to be published in the two daily newspapers, and he is also to place a video recording of the apology on his social media platforms. Campbell is also to pay $1.5 million within six months of July 22, 2026 in order to treat with costs associated with the matter.   Robertson, who described Campbell as a close family friend, said he accepted Campbell’s apology, noting that they had known each other for years, and had never had any negative interactions.“We are Christians with principles, and I have had no bad interaction with Dayton. I understand what the campaign trail is like, and I am willing to apologise to anybody when I trespass on them,” Robertson said, while shaking Campbell’s hand.Lawrence also welcomed the settlement.“It is something that we embraced based on the fact that we have known each other for a long time. Dayton and I go way back and, at times, Dayton can say things that are very much frightening; but nevertheless, today we are here as grown-ups to show some level of maturity,” Lawrence said.He said the matter had been settled in the best interests of their families, friends and Jamaica.“It was never about money,” Lawrence said. “The past is the past, and we move on to the future.”Asked whether the experience would make him more cautious about his public statements, Campbell replied: “I am a creature who is always learning ... different experiences shape how you approach things ... so I will never say I am a perfect being. I am happy that this is behind me, and there is no hostility between Othneil and me.”Asked what message the public should take from the settlement, Campbell said political differences should never become personal.“Contrary to what people believe, I don’t have any enemies in the Jamaica Labour Party. I don’t even have any opponents. The real opponents are the issues affecting the people. Politics can be polarising, and we campaign hard at times, but the real issues are social injustice, poverty, infrastructure, healthcare and education. Those are the problems we are trying to fix, so it’s never personal,” he said.The matter, which had been set for a three-day trial, was due to proceed when attorney-at-law Alexander Williams, who represented Lawrence and Robertson, informed the court that his clients had settled their claims. Williams had appeared virtually from overseas. Hutchinson Shelly then asked whether the settlement had been reduced to writing and was informed that the parties were in the process of signing the terms. The matter was stood down to facilitate the signing, after which attorney-at-law Catherine Minto, representing Vaz, also announced that a similar agreement had been executed between her client and Campbell. The judge then endorsed the settlement, bringing the proceedings to a close.Campbell was represented by attorneys-at-law Shena Stubbs-Gibson and her husband, Ruel Gibson.When asked why he had waited until the matter was about to go to trial before settling, Campbell smiled and replied: “It’s never too late for a shower of rain.”Robertson responded with a smile: “Showers of blessings.”tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com