Former prime minister Lester Bird is among
seven members of the main opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) found
guilty of contravening sections of the Public Order Act.

Senior Magistrate Ivan Walter fined the seven EC$1,500 (US$555) each. The Magistrate told Bird, parliamentarians Gaston Browne and Molwyn Joseph, ALP secretary Mary-Claire Hurst, Vere
Bird Jnr, Sharon Kentish, and Jim Galloway that they pay two-thirds of
the amount, EC$1,000 (US$370) by Thursday or serve a nine-month prison
term

Browne, who is also Chairman of the opposition party, said an appeal would be filed against the ruling.

We are not appealing because of the dollar amount, but our appeal is based on principle," he said. "This matter goes to the heart of the principle of freedom of speech. We will appeal, and we
will get justice, he added.