Scandal Ridden MP Asot Michael Accused Yet Again, Makes Fresh Denials

The Big Issues

It's December 2021 and disgraced Labour Party MP Asot Michael is again defending himself from newly made allegations of serious criminal wrongdoing which he dismissed as smear, and blamed on Labour Party leader, Prime Minister Gaston Browne. In this episode we ask: How will this latest allegation of yet another scandal affect Michael's political standing and that of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party?

The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

1. Dr. David Hinds, a political commentator from Guyana. He is Associate Professor of African and African American studies at the Arizona State University. His focus is on Caribbean and African Diaspora Studies. His research interests include governance and politics in the Caribbean, and Black political leadership.
2. Mr. Rishi Maharaj, Executive Director Equigov Institute. The Equigov Institute is A Social Enterprise based Consulting and Training Organization focused on Transparency, Accountability and Governance.
3. Dr. Oswald Thomas, a professor, political consultant, coach, therapist and media commentator. His broad background is in education, psychotherapy, community organizing, youth work and social advocacy. He is a psycho-therapist. ABLP member.

More on this episode:

We cannot disclose the specific nature o the criminal allegation due to statutory prohibitions. MP Asot Michael has responded to the circulation of the allegation by putting out a press release presenting an alibi, supposed witnesses to attest to his innocence, and denying the accusation vehemently. He further accused the Prime Minister Gaston Browne of orchestrating the allegation. Browne responded via the PM's Office with a release denying the charge, and for the first time, publicly acknowledging that there had been past serious allegations of a similar nature against MP Michael.

This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on December 12th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.