Statement by Honourable Asot Michael

In an important case brought in 2020 by myself against the Antigua & Barbuda Labour Party’s Leader, Mr. Gaston Browne, its chairman, Mr. Lionel ’Max’ Hurst, and its Secretary, Mrs. Mary-Clare Hurst, Mr. Michael sought  Declarations from the High Court with regard to the Party’s actions to convene two (2) tribunals to investigate alleged disciplinary infractions by me and to render decisions accordingly.

In the Court judgment yesterday, December 12, 2022, Judge Jan Drysdale ordered that:

1. The Antigua & Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) disciplinary tribunal against me referred to in a Notice of September 29, 2020, and under the hand of Mr. Lionel Hurst was unlawfully constituted, in breach of the Constitution of the ABLP.
2. The further ABLP disciplinary tribunal referred to in the Notice of 28 October, 2020, under the hand of Mr. Barry Knight was also unlawfully constituted, and also in breach of the ABLP Constitution.
3. And any decisions made or purported to be made by the Tribunals were null and void.

This decision by the High Court constitutes a damning condemnation against the Leader, the Chairman and the Secretary of the ABLP for their reckless disregard of that most sacred document, the ABLP’s Constitution. It reveals to all of Antigua & Barbuda, and beyond, the ugly truth that persons who occupy those highest of leadership positions in the ABLP, and who are not only expected, but are obliged, to uphold, apply, obey and respect its Constitution have instead trampled on it. And to trample on the Party’s Constitution is to trample upon the rights, honour and dignity, and democracy of the people who are governed by that Constitution.

They are, by their actions, arrogance and vindictiveness towards me, unworthy of the positions which they occupy in the ABLP. They are a threat to the Party’s Constitution which makes them a threat to the best interests of the members and followers of the ABLP.

And if, as the evidence clearly shows, they are a threat to their own Party’s Constitution and its members, then, by virtue of the fact that the ABLP is also governing this country,  then they are also a threat to the Constitution and to the best interests of the people of this country.

If Mr. Browne and his close allies will not and cannot safeguard the Constitution, democracy, and the rule of law in the governance of the ABLP, then we cannot and must not look to them to safeguard the Constitution, democracy, and the rule of law in the governance of our nation.

While I feel humbly vindicated by my action at the Court, there is nothing to celebrate. Rather, the judgment provides vital information for the survival and success of our nation. We must ensure that the strong and compelling guidance and message of this case must not be lost on us.

Meanwhile, I am committed to continuing my service to the people of St. Peter and to all of Antigua & Barbuda, and to doing so with full and absolute respect for our Constitution, democracy, and the rule of law, and for you.

May God bless us all.

Thank you.