St. John’s, Antigua – 18th September, 2025…In its decision delivered on September 17th 2025, the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal 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 dated 27th April 2023, the High Court ruled that the Prime Minister’s statements that Vere Bird III benefitted from an illegitimate cabinet decision to sell him Crown lands at a rate reserved for parliamentarians, was true, justified, and fair comment.
Mr. Bird sought to sue the Prime Minister on the grounds of defamation, alleging that he never actually received the lands, and that the cabinet decision was legitimate. Being dissatisfied with Justice Byer’s ruling, Mr. Bird appealed Her Ladyship’s judgment on sixteen grounds. All sixteen grounds of appeal were dismissed unanimously by the Court of Appeal on Wednesday, September 17th 2025, and Justice Byer’s ruling was affirmed.”
Costs were awarded to Mr. Browne by the High Court and the Appeals Court. The amounts are currently being assessed.
Commenting on the ruling, Prime Minister Browne said that he will pursue every avenue to ensure that Vere Bird III pays costs to be awarded by the Courts.
