A sibling of the late MP who paved the way for a Commission of Inquiry into Historical Land Losses said compensation given to families who suffered “would make things right”.

George Brown, whose brother, Walton Brown, tabled a motion that led to an inquiry into the matter of land grabs, said calls for compensation by MPs on Friday night in the House of Assembly “is significant”.

He said: “It acknowledges that when people suffer injustice, there must be a pathway forward to make things right.

“The lesson for Bermuda should be clear — what is wrong does not become right with the passage of time.

“Justice delayed may be justice denied … this is about sending a message to Bermuda — family rights matter, justice matters.”

A report from the Commission of Inquiry into Historical Land Losses said that several men were part of a “criminal conspiracy” to dispossess Mr Brown’s great-uncle, John Augustus Alexander Virgil.

Mr Brown said the family also welcomed calls for a bipartisan committee to move recommendations in the report forward, adding that the family waited for more than 50 years for the matter to be addressed.

“Behind every land dispute, including mine and others, there are human beings, there are generations, this is not merely about land — it is about dignity, accountability and ultimately it is about justice,” he said.

He said Friday’s address of a motion was “historic”, adding: “We cannot let justice be put to bed.

“The House is all in alignment, all the Members of Parliament are all in alignment, indeed it’s time for action,” he added.

During a debate in the House of Assembly on the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Historical Land Losses on Friday night, David Burt, the Premier, said the Government would move forward with some of the commission’s recommendations.

Mr Burt said that the commission had recommended the creation of a permanent mechanism to review claims and facilitate remedies.

He added that while the courts have ultimate jurisdiction over property disputes, it is often difficult for families who have suffered from historical land losses to know where to begin the process of seeking justice

Mr Brown said: “I would like to thank the Premier for having the courage to stick to the wicket even though it’s approaching five years since this matter was debated.”

He said the Brown and Virgil family welcomed the sentiments echoed by MPs for the issue to be addressed via a bipartisan committee, adding that “it is time to heal”.

“I also want to thank all of my family members who are locked in arm in arm, side by side, for the love of our ancestors and beneficiaries of the late John Augustus Alexander Virgil,” he added.

Mr Brown said the family felt heartened that MPs paid tribute to his late brother on Friday night.

“It saddens me that he has passed and he was not here to witness the debate,” he said, noting the contributions of his late mother, Barbara Brown.

“It was her fight as well”, he said.

In December 2021, Mrs Brown told The Royal Gazettethat her wish was that “it’s settled tomorrow. Compensation — the moment there’s compensation, we close the door”.

She was one of seven beneficiaries who were the nieces and nephews of Mr Virgil, and believed that they would get an equal share of his property at Spring Benny, in Sandys, after he died in 1972.

But Mrs Brown said that when the group went to the bank for the will to be executed, they were told that “there is no land and there’s no money for any land”.

Mr Brown said the issue is before the courts and a hearing on an appeal in the matter is expected in November.

He said the family “respect the folks that are living on that property because it was not their fault”. He said his family still have the original deeds to the property.

He said while he and his family are seeking justice for their loss, he also wished the same for others.

“I would also like to see platforms for others who have been harmed, wrongs of the past must be corrected for us to heal this country,” he said.

Mr Brown said it would not be an “abuse of process” for the matter to be addressed, adding: “Friday’s motion on the mater is of public importance.”

He said the family were impressed by the speeches made by MPs in the House on Friday night, including those by Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and the Environment, whom he noted met with the family to discuss the issue.

He also noted the comments on Friday night by Curtis Dickinson, a PLP backbencher, as well as Zane DeSilva, Deputy Premier and Minister of Housing and Municipalities.