Mr Vegas eats crow
Entertainer apologises for ‘unflattering’ social media comments about PNP gen sec
Under threat of lawsuit, popular dancehall entertainer Clifford Smith, who goes by the stage name Mr Vegas, on Monday apologised to People’s National Party (PNP) General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell for comments he posted on social media linking the Opposition politician to corruption allegations made against the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).
Mr Vegas, a vlogger whose posts on political matters are mostly in support of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party, had accused Campbell of being involved in the misallocation of taxpayers’ money.
He had also accused most traditional media of being silent on the accusations.
On Sunday, Campbell declared that he will be pursuing legal action against Mr Vegas and others who have been accusing him of involvement in corruption.
Campbell was speaking at Ewarton Sports Complex during a PNP meeting at which Senator Damian Crawford was formally introduced as the party’s candidate for the St Catherine North Western constituency for the next general election.
“I see dem waa attack the leader and dem waa attack me, but no problem. First, people attacked my reputation in the most vicious way about three years ago. After that, shots were fired over one police station and dem tell lie seh a me mek it happen. Now dem a tell lie bout me misallocate money. I don’t work at parish council and I don’t have no standing to instruct no parish council, so I can’t misappropriate anything. Any bwoy or girl weh seh suh, me and dem a go a courthouse starting with Mr Vegas. So Mr Vegas, dive and tek weh yourself and pay some money because you cannot escape this one,” Campbell said.
Last week, Nationwide News Network (NNN) reported that at least two anti-corruption agencies were probing the alleged use of monies by KSAMC leadership, with the knowledge of the PNP, to contest two parish council by-elections.
The NNN story was based on what was said to be record of conversations between former PNP caretaker for Kingston Central Lawrence Rowe and Campbell.
However, after Campbell made known his intention to sue Vegas and others over the allegations, the entertainer ate crow, issuing an apology on his account on the X platform.
“Attention: I would like to apologise publicly to @Dayton Campbell (Dr Dayton Campbell) for any unflattering remarks I may have made about him at any time. I confirm that I do not have any information or facts about any improper behaviour or activity regarding Mr Campbell; therefore, I apologise for any such allegations that may have been made,” he wrote.