St John’s, November 2016. Anthony Bailey, OBE, Delegate for the Caribbean of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, has made a formal legal complaint through Carter-Ruck solicitors against the Daily Observer, in relation to articles published in the print and online editions of the Antigua Observer under the following heading: “Governor general revokes two knighthoods” – published on 7 November 2016.
The article wrongly claimed that there were “numerous allegations” in the British media that members of a delegation led by Anthony Bailey from the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George received knighthoods “in exchange for money”. In fact, this claim was false and those who granted the awards to Anthony Bailey and other members of the delegation received no payment or other remuneration for doing so. There were no such allegations in the British press either.
The newspaper has published the following correction and apology in the print edition of 16 November 2016:
“In a story titled “Governor general revokes two knighthoods” which appeared on page 6 of the November 7, 2016 publication of the Daily Observer, it was incorrectly reported that Governor General Sir Rodney Williams had revoked two knighthoods which were bestowed on Nadhmi Auchi and Spas Roussev in November of 2014. In fact, the governor general has withdrawn the knighthoods from the two men until further notice. The story also incorrectly reported that Sir Anthony Bailey, who heads the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George had been the subject of allegations in the British media surrounding the claim that he and his delegation received the awards in exchange for money, however, those allegations were actually made by members of the public in Antigua & Barbuda and have since been denied by Sir Anthony and the government of Antigua & Barbuda. The Daily Observer sincerely apologises to Sir Rodney, the members of the delegation and our readers for the inaccuracies in our reporting and for any embarrassment and inconvenience that may have been caused.”
In a statement, the Delegate said: “The allegations that have been made by The Daily Observer are totally unfounded, and are now the subject of a legal complaint for defamation. I will continue to take such steps as may be appropriate to seek full vindication in respect of these false and highly defamatory claims.”
For further information please contact Dominic Garner or Nigel Tait at Carter-Ruck solicitors on 020 7353 5005, or via email at: dominic.garner@carter-ruck.com and nigel.tait@carter-ruck.com.
