Lester Bird Rejected for National Honour ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA – Monday October 28, 2013…..The Opposition Antigua Labour Party’s (ALP) request to have its former leader receive the country’s highest honour has been denied for a second time. Former Prime Minister Lester Bird’s name was presented to the national awards committee by his party’s executives for a knighthood, but their request was denied by Governor General Dame Louise Lake-Tack, sparking outrage in some sections of the public. While the exact reason for the governor general’s decision is unknown, there are reports that she has indicated to Opposition Leader Gaston Browne that her refusal to grant him (Bird) a national honour is for the fact that he remains an active politician, serving as a member in the House of Representatives, for the constituency of St. John’s Rural East. This is the second denial against Lester Bird in two years, with the ALP expressing outrage that the governor general’s actions amount to politics and sheer hatred for the former prime minister. The 2013 list of national honours will be revealed on Friday 1 November, 2013, when Antigua and Barbuda celebrates thirty two (32) years of political independence. Knighthood is the highest honour bestowed on citizens by the state of Antigua and Barbuda. In 2012, no such awards were given, and reports are this year will be no different. At least two other individuals who were recommended for knighthoods were turned down. One is former Antigua and Barbudan and West Indian cricketer Andy Roberts, and the other is retired doctor Cuthwin Lake, one of this country’s foremost homegrown surgeons. Both men have in the past refused national honours.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 00:23:23 +0000
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