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Privy Council Upholds Decision to Quash Warren Cassell’s Conviction

Montserrat’s final appellate court, the Privy Council in England, has upheld the decision by the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal which quashed the conviction of Attorney-at-law Warren Cassell. According to a LOMAR Consulting LLC press release issued on Thursday, three British Justices sitting on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London handed down their judgment in a 23- page document. The release states that the ruling by the panel of law Lords declared that Attorney Cassell be acquitted of the charge relating to the conviction in the concealment of proceeds of criminal conduct. In June 2022, Mr. Cassell was found guilty of concealing the proceeds of criminal conduct and was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment. He appealed his conviction on several grounds and in February 2025, the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal quashed the conviction and set aside the sentence, referring to the matter as a “Miscarriage of Justice” and also stated that it did not believe it was in the interest of justice to order a retrial of Attorney Cassell in this matter. In mid-2025, Montserrat’s Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Oris Sullivan, who was unhappy with the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal’s vindication of Attorney Cassell, made a further appeal to the London based Privy Council to have the decision overturned. In handing down Thursday’s decision, the Privy Council also expressed its desire that this latest appeal by the Crown would hopefully be the final one in an extraordinary saga that began in 2007. Over that time, almost twenty years ago, there have been two trials and now two appeals that have reached the Privy Council. Mr. Cassell’s legal representative, Attorney Dr. David Dorset, welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as once again a significant victory for justice. Attorney Dr, David Dorset The three Justices, Lords Briggs, Lord Burrows and Lord Snowden heard the case in the Privy Council at Westminster.

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New Initiative to Improve Understanding of Montserrat’s Forests and Water Resources

Local Agriculture officials continue to welcome the launch of the Thriving Ecosystems and Communities in Montserrat: Agroforestry and Sustainable Land Management Solutions project. Launched on Tuesday, in collaboration with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), under the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC), the project aims to improve the understanding of the island’s forests and water resources, support ecosystem restoration, and explore opportunities for climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry and sustainable land management. Speaking at the launch, Director of Environment, Ernestine Corbett, said the initiative would help authorities make better informed decisions about protecting and sustainably managing the island’s natural environment. She explained that the Department had been seeking to advance the forest inventory and climate modeling initiative for some time, and welcomed the support of the RSPB in bringing the project to fruition. Director of the Department of Environment, Ernestine Corbett The new project will bring together local communities, land managers, farmers, government agencies, and conservation specialists to better understand the island’s natural resources and develop practical approaches to managing them sustainably.

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CARICOM Official Highlights Regional Trade as Key to Food Security for Small Islands

Assistant Secretary General – CARICOM Single Market Trade (CSMT) at the Caribbean Community Secretariat, Ambassador Wayne McCook has been explaining how small island states like Montserrat can benefit from regional food production and trade. He was responding to a question on how the regional grouping can mobilize to provide meaningful assistance to fledgling states to ensure food security. Ambassador McCook was at the time speaking during an interview while on a recent visit to Montserrat. The Jamaican is also an advisor to the Geneva Trade Platform at the Centre for Trade and Economic Integration of the Graduate Institute of Geneva, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Multilateral Negotiations (CEMUNE). Assistant Secretary General – CARICOM Single Market Trade (CSMT) at the Caribbean Community Secretariat, Ambassador Wayne McCook

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CARICOM Secretary-General Says Montserrat’s Regional Contribution Is Highly Valued

Despite the limitations brought on by its British Overseas Territory status, CARICOM Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett says Montserrat’s contribution where regional functional cooperation is concerned is highly valued and recognized. She was speaking at the end of a recent visit to the island where she held discussions with government officials and other key stakeholders. Dr. Barnett highlights that Montserrat was one of the original signatories of the Treaty of Chaguaramas and as such has been able to be a part of discussions on the way forward for the region. CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett

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Government of Montserrat Moves to Advance Digital Transformation Focusing on Strengthening Data Protection and Improving Digital Public Services

The Government of Montserrat is working to advance digital transformation, with a focus on strengthening data protection and improving digital public services here. The issues were highlighted during a workshop hosted by the Office of the Premier in collaboration with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, from October 19 to 21 at the Brades Arts and Education Centre. Associate Economic Affairs Officer within the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean- UNECLAC, Demetris Herkleous, said the workshop provides an opportunity to move from policy frameworks to practical implementation, helping Montserrat build the institutional capacity needed to deliver more effective digital services. He noted that Montserrat’s experience could also serve as a model for other small island developing states facing similar challenges. Demetris Herkleous. Meantime, Premier the Honourable Reuben Meade stressed the need for greater progress in using technology to improve government operations, pointing to the paperless government initiative. Premier Meade also highlighted the rollout of the health information system, which is intended to allow authorised doctors to access patients’ medical records when needed, including when they are overseas. Premier, the Honourable Reuben Meade

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MOPPA Family Funday Deemed a Success

The Montserrat Overseas People’s Progressive Association (MOPPA) is celebrating the success of its Family Fun Day, held on Saturday, July 11. Speaking on the ZJB Breakfast Show, Monday, MOPPA UK spokesperson Keima Allen expressed appreciation to the volunteers and attendees whose support helped make the event a success.  Allen said the event also helped raise the profile of MOPPA, an organization that has served the Montserratian community since 1969.  Looking ahead, Allen confirmed that the Family Fun Day will remain an annual event. She said MOPPA plans to continue hosting events throughout the year while promoting Montserrat’s culture across the United Kingdom. She added that the organization remains committed to strengthening the Montserratian community in the UK and ensuring the island’s heritage continues to be proudly showcased.

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2026 Calabash Festival Calendar Officially Unveiled

The official calendar for the 2026 Calabash Festival has been unveiled. This year, the annual celebration is set to take place from Saturday July 18th to Sunday, July 26th under the theme “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life.” The Montserrat Arts Council (MAC) says the public can prepare to experience the best of Montserrat’s cultural flair. Events on the calendar include Sea Scape – Coastline Tours and Kayaking, Neighbourly Day Church Service, a Children’s Bus Tour, a Radio Panel Discussion, Market Day, and a Grand Food Fair. The Festival ends with a three-day Produced in Montserrat Expo (PRIME) event, with the PRIME Lyme on Friday, the Main Expo on Saturday, and the PRIME Montserrat Business Awards and Gala on Sunday. Private events also appear on the calendar, including Calasplash and a Teen Sip n’ Paint. The full calendar can be viewed on the Montserrat Festivals and Montserrat Arts Council social media pages. For updates and more information, persons can contact the Montserrat Arts Council at info@artscouncil.ms or at 1-664-491-8555/8556.

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Government Committed To Completing The Montserrat Port Development Project.

Premier the Honourable Reuben T. Meade says the government is committed to completing the Montserrat Port Development Project. His comments on the United Alliance radio programme Wednesday evening, followed the dismissal of Meridian Construction Limited, which has made little progress on the project.  ‘We have some lawyers from the UK here. We can’t go into too much detail in terms of what’s happening there. But what I can say to the people of Montserrat, we are committed to complete the construction of that port or that jetty. The British government is also very supportive of us in terms of completing the construction of that jetty. We are working on various options and once those options become available, then we will bring those to the public. But at this time, because of possible litigation issues, we cannot go into too much detail on the port project. We can say for a fact that the contractor has been expelled from the site. That’s as far as I can go on that,’ explained Premier Meade. The Ministry of Finance & Economic Management announced on April 11th that, following the expiry of the contractual notice period, the contract with the current contractor in respect of the Montserrat Port Development Project was terminated in accordance with its terms.

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Government of Montserrat Explores Innovative Ways to Boost Private Sector Development

The government of Montserrat is exploring a number of hotel development projects as part of plans to boost the private sector here. Premier, the Honourable Rueben T Meade made the announcement in parliament, earlier this week. He said hotel projects in Little Bay, View pointe/Gulf Course area, and Woodlands are expected to roll out within weeks, alongside a proposed spa investment.

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Minister of Health reports progress on New Hospital project

The Ministry of Health and Social Services is reporting that work on the new Glendon Hospital project is progressing at a rapid pace.  Minister for Health, Dr., the Honourable Ingrid Buffonge has expressed profound happiness with the advancement of the project. She also says that  a lot of other activities are moving forward alongside the ongoing work at the  hospital, including a Memorandum of Understanding between Montserrat and Guadeloupe for updated healthcare for residents here.

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