Former N.L. premier Roger Grimes is asking the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador to dismiss a defamation case.

In January and February of this year, Grimes made comments about provincial Transportation and Works Minister John Hickey to local open-line radio shows and on CBC Television's news program, Here and Now.

At the time, Hickey demanded a public apology from Grimes, who refused.

Hickey filed the suit after claiming that Grimes had suggested Hickey could not have mistakenly doubled-billed his constituency allowance by more than $3,700. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary cleared Hickey of any wrongdoing.

Grimes filed a statement of defence in the case Aug. 1, denying he defamed Hickey by his comments.