Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion countersues Attorney Bloem.
PHILIPSBURG:---A high-profile legal dispute between Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion and Attorney Jairo Bloem is set to take center stage in court this week. The case stems from a heated exchange of allegations and counterclaims regarding public statements made by both parties in recent days.
Attorney Jairo Bloem has filed an injunction against MP Ardwell Irion, accusing him of making defamatory remarks about his professional record and suitability for the position of Chairperson of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Bloem claims that Irion’s statements, published in The People’s Tribune and reiterated on the Lady Grace Radio program, were factually incorrect and damaging to his reputation. He is demanding a public retraction and apology from Irion, as well as assurances that such statements will not be repeated.
In response, MP Irion has rejected Bloem’s allegations, defending his remarks as part of his constitutional role in scrutinizing government conduct. Irion maintains that his statements were made in good faith during a public debate of significant societal importance and were neither defamatory nor unlawful. Furthermore, Irion has announced his intention to counter-sue Bloem for libel, citing what he describes as factually incorrect and professionally improper statements made by Bloem during the Lady Grace program.
The legal proceedings are scheduled to begin on Thursday at 3:00 PM, when the court will hear Bloem’s injunction against Irion. The case has garnered significant public attention, as it addresses issues of governance, accountability, and the boundaries of public discourse in matters of societal importance.
As the legal battle unfolds, both parties remain steadfast in their positions, with potential implications for their reputations and the broader public debate surrounding the Central Bank nomination process. The court’s decision is highly anticipated and could set a precedent for how such disputes are handled in the future.
In the meantime, Bloem has withdrawn his candidacy for the position of chair of the Central Bank Supervisory Board.
