ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal against the decision of Justice Nicola Byer in a civil defamation case filed by Vere Bird III against Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
In the decision of Justice Byer of April 27, 2023, the High Court ruled that the Prime Minister’s statements, that Vere Bird III benefited from an illegitimate cabinet decision to sell him Crown Lands at a rate reserved for parliamentarians, were factual, justified, and fair comment.
Bird filed suit against the Prime Minister on the grounds of defamation, alleging that he never actually received the lands and that the cabinet decision was legitimate.
Vere Bird III did not find favour with the High Court’s ruling and approached the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, challenging Justice Byer’s ruling on 16 grounds.
According to a statement, the Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed all 16 grounds of Appeal on Wednesday, affirming Byer’s ruling.
Costs were awarded to Prime Minister Gaston Browne by the High Court and the Appeal Court. The amounts are currently being assessed.
and then 