Senator Fabian Jones was reappointed to the Senate on Monday, taking the oath of allegiance following his reappointment on the advice of the Barbuda Council to Governor General Sir Rodney Williams.
According to Antigua News Room, Jones, a member of the Barbuda People's Movement, was sworn in shortly after the sitting opened. Senate President Alincia Williams-Grant welcomed him back to the Upper House. His return restores the Senate to its full complement, following recent changes that saw both the government and opposition appoint several younger senators.
Making his first contribution since his return, Jones weighed in on debate surrounding the Fatal Accidents Bill 2026, drawing attention to what he described as an inconsistency between two clauses in the legislation.
Jones noted that Clause 2 broadens the definition of a dependent to include a person who lived with the deceased in the same household for at least three years as a husband or wife. However, he argued that the same category of person was omitted from Clause 4, which specifies who is entitled to claim damages for bereavement.
He urged lawmakers to ensure the bill's provisions were consistent, so that individuals recognised as dependents under the interpretation section would also be eligible to seek bereavement damages where appropriate.
The Fatal Accidents Bill 2026 was later approved by a majority vote after the government's proposed version prevailed over opposition amendments during the committee stage.
