Amir Khadir apologizes, settles defamation lawsuit

Quebec Solidaire MNA Amir Khadir has settled a defamation lawsuit against a lobbyist.

The outspoken Member of the National Assembly issued an apology for comments he made about Russell Williams, himself a former MNA who is now a lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry.

In 2010 Khadir called Williams a crook and a criminal for the actions of the pharmaceutical industry, saying drug researchers and manufacturers were overcharging customers in Quebec.

He immediately apologized, but then repeated the negative statements about Williams on at least two occasions.

Williams launched a $125,000 lawsuit against Khadir, and the civil suit was going to proceed into court this week when the pair agreed to an out-of-court settlement.

The terms, as they often are, are confidential, but Khadir was forced to publicly apologize to Williams.

"I assured the president of that lobby, Mr. Russell Williams, who was a past MNA for the Liberal party and joined the pharmaceutical lobby as a member, I assured him via a letter that our critiques of the pharmaceutical industry were not aiming at him, personally," said Khadir.

"We are criticizing aspects of the pharmaceutical industry which cost Quebec taxpayers and Quebec doctors and patients literally billions of dollars."

Khadir, a medical doctor, is a frequent critic of the pharmaceutical industry.