Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, has announced that he has advised the Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams to revoke immediately the appointment from the Cabinet, of Tourism and Investment Minister, Asot Michael pending the outcome of his arrest this morning by the Metropolitan Police in London.
According to the Antigua Observer, Prime Minister Browne is presently in Jordan on his way back to Antigua from Montenegro where he led a government delegation to an international conference on Citizenship by Investment.
The report said that the Prime Minister advised that he received news from Antigua and Barbuda’s High Commissioner in London, Karen-Mae Hill, that she had been informed that Michael was arrested on his arrival in England this morning.
“While I have no firm details of the reasons for Mr. Michael’s arrest, the arrest itself is sufficient for me to revoke immediately his appointment as a Cabinet member and to relieve him of all Ministerial portfolios until this matter is resolved,” PM Browne said.
The Prime Minister declared: “I have repeatedly stated that I expect every member of my government to comply with the highest possible standards required of public office, and while Mr. Michael might establish his innocence in time, the fact that he has been arrested, obliges me to relieve him of all government duties”.
“I undertake to release other information regarding Mr. Michael’s arrest as it is brought to my attention”.
The report said that Asot was later released from custody and advised he may be wanted for further questioning. He is being represented by U.K lawyer James Guthrie.
