While every Grenadian is praying and remaining hopeful that a wind of change will blow over the economic situation in the country (which worsened since the NDC Government assumed office), local and external factors are indicating that there is little hope, as it will get worse. With a very fragile economy and very little to export, we are forced to rely heavily on both local and foreign investors. Even if we have to further enhance the productive sector as the NDC said it will do to reduce unemployment and cost of living, it will take time to raise the resources to achieve this. Meanwhile, we must find additional means of creating employment for the vulnerable people who are waiting patiently for an opportunity to put food on their table. One such means is to facilitate and support good investors who are willing to create employment opportunities. It is therefore difficult to understand why anyone will want to attack without any reason or truth, an outstanding son of the soil whose name is known internationally and who can invest millions of dollars in Grenada. Why would anyone want to maliciously attack a prominent and reputable person who can invest millions of dollars that can create directly and indirectly thousands of job for Grenadians? In a recent article written by local lawyer Lloyd Noel known to be an advisor to the Government, entitled “Is there no end to the bad deals” he indicated that “He (Lewis Hamilton) must have paid some hard cash to certain individuals over and above the professionals, who provided their services in implementing that sordid and shameful deal in the name of the people” This statement no doubt gives the impression that Mr. Hamilton was involved in corrupt activities to secure the acquisition of the freehold of the land on which the Grenada Grand Beach resort was built. This statement does not only have legal implications but can destroy the future of a young and successful car racing superstar known thoughout the world in the sporting arena. We have been informed that legal actions will be taken against Mr. Noel by lawyers in England acting on his behalf. Only Grenada stands to lose if Mr. Hamilton decides to abandon his plans to invest in Grenada because of this defamatory article. Just imagine Lewis Hamilton telling the world to visit Grenada. The NDC Administration will not be able to pay for this public relation with the Tourism budget for the next five years and especially now that the treasury is empty as they proclaimed. If Mr. Noel does not know this then what kind of advice is he giving to the Government? Not only did Lloyd Noel, attack Lewis Hamilton but he also attacked Dr. Keith Mitchell the Governor General and Ambassador Patrick Antoine saying they facilitated and benefited from the transaction between the Government of Grenada and Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Noel falsely stated in his article that the deal was designed and executed between Dr. Antoine and Dr. Mitchell without any recourse to cabinet for a conclusion. By simply checking before he wrote the article Mr. Noel would have found out that this matter was tabled in Cabinet at least on three occasions and was approved. The former Prime Minister has indicated that no monies were provided to him, his Government or his party by Mr. Hamilton as a result of the transaction. He noted that his Government granted the request of Mr. Hamilton because the interest at that time was to create more employment opportunities for the people of Grenada. The lawyer representing Dr. Antoine has already indicated that he is taking legal action against Mr. Noel, since the statements made about his client are totally false. This only confirms that the entire article is untrue and misleading and shows how persons who portray themselves to be leaders in our society can really sell themselves short because of a political agenda that seeks to destroy the character of members of the former administration. At a time when the country is strapped for cash when little activities are taking place on the port, when the cost of living is rising, when previous investments that took off with high speed seem to be halting, Lloyd Noel could be driving away a major investment opportunity for Grenadians. What is interesting though is that Lloyd Noel does not own a media entity (as far as is known to the public), however, his libelous statements were published in the Grenada Today and on George Grant‘s Website. This amounts to irresponsible journalism being practiced since the information could have been easily verified. On the contrary, if indeed the information was checked out and was found to be wrong then it will be logical to conclude that George Grant and the editor/owner of the Grenada Today Mr. George Worme willingly combine efforts with Lloyd Noel to publish libelous statements about the above mentioned persons. This case is no doubt a message to the media of how important it is to check information before publishing for failure to do so can have far reaching consequences not just for individuals but for Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. From: Office of the Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition (The above article contains the views and opinions of the New National Party and not necessarily those of the Inside Grenada Team)