ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – A High Court judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed against Prime Minister Gaston Browne by the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) chairman, Vere Bird III.
Bird, the son of the former agriculture minister Vere Bird Jr., had filed the lawsuit on December 12, 2019, alleging that he had been defamed by statements made by Browne on social media.
The Bird claimed aggravated and exemplary damages for defamation against Prime Minister Browne for words published and broadcast on Facebook on November 5, 6, and 8, 2019.
The social media post is concerned about a Cabinet decision giving Bird one acre of land for a purchase price of EC$25, 0000 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents), a rate reserved for members of Parliament.
Prime Minister Browne had questioned the validity of the Cabinet decision liking it to what is known as a “Cabinet Creeper.”
In dismissing the lawsuit, and awarding costs to Prime Minister Browne, the judge, Justice Nicola Byer, ruled that the decision to grant Bird the land at the cost reserved for members of Parliament when he was not a member was improper.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Prime Minister Browne said that the victory in the High Court is proof that standing on the truth is always a form of defense and that whenever he makes public statements, he does so with the knowledge that they can stand based on being factual.
He reiterated that the victory is a vindication that the truth will always prevail.
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