Former Antigua PM guilty of breach of peace; plans to appeal

Seven members of the opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP), including former prime minister Lester Bird, have been found guilty of breaching the Public Order Act during Labour Day celebrations last year.

Each of them has until Thursday to pay the fine of US$370. The defence has said it will appeal on the grounds that the men should not have been tried in a magistrate's court since the case was about the issue of their constitutional right to freedom of speech.

The seven were found guilty of breaking the law by speaking on the platform of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) rally on May 4th, 2009.

The union, which is aligned to the opposition party, had made it clear to police prior to its Labour Day rally that it would not have any political speakers on its platform.

Two days prior to the rally, then acting Commissioner of Police Thomas Bennett met with representatives from the union and the ALP to discuss the party’s request to include additional speakers to the union’s approved list.

Police turned down the party’s application but the ALP speakers went on stage and addressed the crowd in defiance of the union and the police.