Lester Bird passes at 83

Antigua and Barbuda’s former Prime Minister Sir Lester Bird died at 6 am on Monday morning, August 9, aged 83. The reason for his death was not released.

The Office of Prime Minister Antigua and Barbuda announced that the country has lost one of its most distinguished and heroic sons.

All flags were immediately flown at half-mast. The government is now planning for a state funeral.

Sir Lester Bryant Bird was the second prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda who served from 1994 to 2004. His father, Sir Vere Cornwall Bird Sr, was the first PM.

In the 1994 elections the Antigua Labour Party under Lester Bird’s leadership won 11 out of 17 seats. In winning he promised open government, an ombudsman to deal with citizens’ complaints and new jobs, especially in tourism. In 2014 he was made a Knight of the Order of the National Hero by Antigua and Barbuda.