But that’s not the biggest news concerning Mark Espat tonight. The news is that he’s secured Eamon Courtenay as his attorney and Courtenay has written to George Price, telling the Leader Emeritus that he’ll be sued if he doesn’t withdraw his allegation that Mark Espat conspired with the UDP Cabinet in a plan to arrest Said Musa. Now we don’t have to point out that the son of Harry Courtenay threatening to sue George Price is wrought with its own kind of potent symbolism – but this letter makes news in its own right.
Courtenay’s points out to Price first that his recommendation to expel Espat is not in line with the party constitution. Second, he advises Price that his allegation that Espat is conspiring with the UDP is, “untrue, scandalous and...a most reprehensible libel.” Courtenay tells Price, to “immediately withdraw this scandalous allegation…and to do so in writing…before the end of business today.”
Best advice to us is that no such thing has happened, but whether Eamon Courtenay will sue George Price for libel, well that’s another matter completely. But the letter it seems has had some effect. 10 members of the PUP executive met today to consider the Price recommendation for Espat’s expulsion. 7NEWS has confirmed that they agreed to withdraw the conspiracy claim against Espat. Reports also say that they will grant him a hearing to defend his actions before the pup executive in two weeks.
