The Sarnia Police Service (SPS) has filed a lawsuit against a former city councillor and owner of a local news publication.
According to online court documents, the civil case was filed in the Superior Court of Justice on Tuesday, April 7.
The documents state the SPS, on behalf of Police Chief Derek Davis, is suing Nathan Colquhoun, the Sarnia Journal, and Sarnia Media Group Inc. for $1.5 million, citing allegations of libel.
"As it's now before the courts I can't provide further comment, but I look forward to it proceeding through the courts," Davis said in a brief statement sent to Sarnia News Today.
The lawsuit follows legal notices, issued on behalf of the SPS to Colquhoun, regarding what were alleged as defamatory articles published in the Sarnia Journal.
In a statement to Sarnia News Today, Colquhoun said this lawsuit arises from reporting on matters of significant public interest involving the SPS.
"A $1.5 million legal action brought by a chief of police against a small local newsroom operated as a worker-cooperative, raises serious concerns about the potential chilling effect on independent journalism and public scrutiny of public institutions. We have already filed a Notice of Intent to Defend and look forward to addressing the claims through the proper legal process," his email said.
Colquhoun has also filed his own complaint against the Sarnia police chief, alleging he engaged in behavior that compromises municipal security.
The complaint has been sent to the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA).
