ATTORNEY Martin George is calling on a daily newspaper to provide a public and bold apology for the publication of articles along with headlines which he claims are defamatory and an attempt to assassinate his character.

The letter was delivered by hand and email by JD Sellier and Co to Caribbean Communications Network Ltd and the Trinidad Express Newspapers Ltd on Friday.

The law firm acting on behalf of George referenced several articles published by the newspaper this week following George’s arrest on Tuesday at his Port of Spain law office.

Emphasis was placed on an article published on page three with a front page headline labelled “Indecent George,” published by the newspaper on Friday.

The letter states, “The publication of the words “INDECENT GEORGE” on the front page of a newspaper in wide circulation jeopardises in a most fundamental way our client’s right to a fair trial, and is a shameless and deliberate and cheeky act of pre-trial publicity.”

It also stated, “This is reckless, shameless and a shameful exercise in journalism which a court should register its disapproval in the strongest possible terms and which should sound in damages including exemplary damages payable to our client.”

Jd Sellier and Co is calling upon the media house to immediately in their words:

(i)   cease and desist from publishing any further defamatory statements concerning our client;

(ii) give to our client an undertaking that you will make no further Defamatory publication concerning him;

(iii)  issue a retraction and apology in bold Headlines on the front page in all-caps to our client, in terms to be approved by us, in the same manner and with the same prominence in which your defamatory comments have been published;

(iv)   pay to our client a proper and suitable sum as damages; and

(v) indemnify our client for legal fees incurred to date.

The media house is also being called upon to immediately publish on the front page in the next issue of the Sunday Express an unqualified apology to our client and we are of the respectful view that same should be done immediately to repair the damage to our client’s reputation.”

JD Sellier and Co also stated, “Having regard to the grave and serious nature of the publication against our client an apology alone, of course, will not be sufficient and he expressly reserves without limitation including his right to claim damages and legal costs and all his other rights and remedies in the matter.”

On Thursday, George revealed his fiancée to the public and announced a wedding date after being arrested by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) for alleged grievous sexual assault and indecent assault that took place at his office.

On Wednesday, High Court Judge Master Indira Chinebas granted George $150,000 bail when he appeared to answer to the charges.

Also on Friday, the TTPS launched an investigation into the leaking of the alleged victim’s information which was being shared publicly.