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KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, Feb. 27, IWN — The leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) has congratulated Nice Radio on paying the money in a defamation case that arose from statements made during an NDP programme.

“I want to congratulate Douggie [De Freitas] and all those who made the effort to have the money raised for Nice Radio,” Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace said on the NDP’s “New Times” programme on Nice Radio on Monday.

“I am really, really thankful to the public, whether you are here or abroad, for coming to show clearly to those who thought otherwise, that they would be able to let this station fold, that it wouldn’t happen,” he further said.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves on Monday received cheques for $206,000, monies the court awarded in a defamation case he brought against Nice Radio almost 10 years ago.

Eustace said persons from across the political divide contributed to the effort to raise the money.

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“And I would tell you, there are a lot of people who are not necessarily NDP supporters who contributed to this fund, because they want to maintain democracy in this country. And I want to say a special thanks to those persons,” Eustace said.

“I know that has taken a massive weight off his (De Freitas) shoulder, although there are other things that need to be done still in this country of ours.

“But he stood up and stood his grounds at all times, and his faith in God would have played a pivotal role in his ability to get those funds contributed by so many people, both here and abroad,” Eustace said.

He said that on his way to the station a lady stopped gave him an envelope of money from one of his friends in Canada to contribute to the Save Nice Radio Appeal, the campaign that raised the $206,000.

The defamation judgement sprung from statement that Eduardo “E.G” Lynch, then host of “New Times” made about Gonsalves about 10 years ago.