Bird, Mitchell vow to take new legal action

PM Keith Mitchell

Wednesday, October 15, 2003

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada: Prime Minister Lester Bird of Antigua and Barbuda and Prime Minister Keith Mitchell of Grenada are both vowing to initiate new legal moves in relation to two cases they recently won. 

The Barbados Nation yesterday reported that Mr. Bird has vowed to "press ahead" with a libel case against Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer and the opposition-linked Observer media group. Mr. Mitchell told the Nation he is not satisfied with the EC$100,000 reward and will appeal as soon as possible.

Lawyers for a teenaged girl recently dropped charges of rape and drug trafficking against Prime Minister Bird citing lack of any evidence. But the prime minister told Ricky Singh he has decided to seek redress against her attorneys. 

A video-tape of the girl, whose whereabouts are a mystery, was produced by two journalists on behalf of the Observer media group, She alleged on the videotape that Mr. Bird had raped her and also used here to run illegal drugs; claims vehemently denied by the PM. 

Meanwhile, in a telephone interview from Grenada, Prime Minister Mitchell told the Daily Nation that he was never in doubt about "victory in the court" over the libel action he had filed against the Grenada Today newspaper and others involved in the publication of material damaging to his reputation. But he vowed to appeal for more money.

On Friday, 10th October, PM Mitchell was awarded EC$100,000 (US$37,453) for being libelled on 30th March, in a letter published in the Grenada Today. In his claim for damages, Mitchell had asked the court for EC$1 million compensation against the Grenada Today, its editor Mr. George Worme, the newspapers printers, the Trinidad Express and Mr. Steve Fassihi, author of the libellous letter. 

But the court awarded him EC$100 000, plus EC$20 000 in legal costs, against those cited in the libel action. 

PM Mitchell told the Nation, "This is clearly not a punitive ruling for such a reckless libel against me and I intend to appeal the award as soon as possible."

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