West Indies cricket legend Sir Clive Lloyd is proceeding with a libel suit against the Guyana Chronicle newspaper following a report published in the newspaper’s online edition on March 13 that claims the former West Indies captain made disparaging remarks against all-rounder Jason Holder, who is also a former captain of the Caribbean side.

The report, penned by Rajiv Bisnauth, was published under the headline ‘Holder has outlived his usefulness in the position, says Lloyd’. However, Lloyd said the reporter did not speak with him and he did not make the comments that appeared in the story that the writer attributed to him.

The reporter has since been suspended.

Lloyd’s attorney, Ralph Thorne, confirmed on the Mason and Guest radio show in Barbados on Tuesday night that they will continue to pursue legal action against the Chronicle.

“I am representing Sir Clive Lloyd in association with Guyanese counsel and if the Chronicle or anybody at the Chronicle is hearing let them understand that we are pressing ahead with the case on behalf of one of the great West Indians of the last 100 years,” said Thorne.

“This region is what it is because we have some people called cricketers. This region derives much of its identity and much of its respect in the international community because of cricket, and therefore because of our cricketers you are not going to meet a more distinguished West Indian than Sir Clive Lloyd.

“And therefore, newspapers must be very careful how they portray our heroes. Sir Clive Lloyd is a West Indian hero, an authentic West Indian hero and when a reporter is going to say to the world in an online edition that Sir Clive Lloyd spoke to him and he quoted Sir Clive Lloyd as having said that he disavowed Jason Holder.

“That is unkind, not only because Sir Clive Lloyd is a West Indian hero speaking about a West Indian captain but Sir Clive Lloyd never said that. These men must not be defamed by newspapers simply because they have the power of the pen.”

Editor at the Guyana Chronicle Tajeram Mahabir said he was disappointed and appalled that the story was published while emphasising that had he seen it beforehand, it would not have been published.

The newspaper offered an apology to Lloyd and published a retraction and apology on the front page of its online publication. They also reached out to Thorne, offering apologies.

Mahabir said that, in addition to the newspaper suspending the reporter, the editorial team has had to attend training sessions in libel law.