Vere Bird III and PM Gaston Browne
After losing his case in the High Court, Vere Bird III could not gain a favourable ruling at the Eastern Caribbean Court.
On Wednesday, his appeal was dismissed in the defamation case against Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
In April 2023, Justice Nicola Byer 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. 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.
Bird not being satisfied with that outcome went to the Appellate Court, but it was a similar verdict once again.
On all 16 grounds that he appealed the judgement, all 16 were dismissed.
He will have to pay PM Browne a significant amount of money as costs were awarded to him. That number is being assessed.
READ FULL JUDGEMENT BELOW:
It seems like defamation laws don’t really protect reputations anymore. Anyone can say something damaging and hide behind ‘fair comment
He really should have accepted the High Court’s decision instead of wasting more time and money.
Interesting to see the courts uphold the original ruling in full. Full marks for consistency.
This is a win for truth. If what was said was fair and justified, then it should not be silenced under the guise of defamation
hmmmmmm Sometimes its good to just leave well alone
Justice has spoken. This shows that even powerful names like Bird are not above accountability. The court made the right call.
Boy, feelings can cost real money. Sometimes you may feel it’s a good idea to file a case or to stand up and pursue further action. But really and truly it may be best to just let this one slide.
From the looks at it, it doesn’t seem that it was a good idea to push the issue based on principle. Mr. Bird should have just fly away and hold on to his money in the earlier stages of fight.
Now he will have pay a substantial amount for how he feels about someone and thier comments.
In these times, paying out uncalled for money really hurts. I’m sure.
Hope this matter finally comes to an end.
This decision reinforces the importance of facts over political mudslinging. Well done by the judiciary.
Why they always coming for my Prime Minister? Don’t they know the harder they come the harder they fall? So leave my beloved Prime Minister Browne alone please and thank you.
Once again the little man is crushed by the system. Whether you like Bird or not, this verdict feels harsh