Leaked email shows UK crime agency has not ruled out charging Asot Michael

Last updated: October 27, 2017 at 00:17 pm

Investigators in the UK “cannot rule out the possibility of criminal charges” against Asot Michael, according to an email reportedly sent from the Foreign Office's Caribbean lead.

The text states that the MP was arrested in connection with a case involving a UK national and bribery in the Caribbean.

WIC News has received a copy of the leaked email, which appears to show communication between Patrick Reilly and Karen-Mae Hill, Antigua and Barbuda’s high commissioner to London. The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office told WIC News this after that that they "won't be commenting" on the content of the email. Asot Michael was arrested at Gatwick Airport on Monday morning, and was subsequently stripped of his cabinet role.

Up to that point he had been minister of tourism, economic development, investment and energy.

The National Crime Agency (NCA), the UK’s nationwide law enforcement agency, has told WIC News that they can neither confirm or deny Michael’s arrest.

And in his first statement since his detention, Michael said he was only arrested as part of standard procedure when travellers need to be questions.

But the email from a high ranking Foreign Office official appears to confirm that the arrest was a more serious matter.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200"] Patrick Reilly.[/caption]

The message from Reilly reads: “We just spoke. I promised to send you these lines, agreed with the NCA, which you can share with your authorities.”

He goes on to confirm that Michael was held “in connection with an NCA investigation into bribes paid by a UK national for business contracts in the Caribbean.”

The now ex-minister was “released under investigation with no conditions imposed”.

But crucially, the email states that “we cannot rule out the possibility of criminal charges in due course.”

Swift dismissal for Asot Michael

The veteran politician, member of parliament for St Peter, broke his silence regarding the matter on Tuesday evening.

He said that he was “not charged with any offence, I am not on bail, and the police did not seek to impose any restriction on my travel.”

He also denied any allegations made against him, but failed to explain what he had been arrested in connection with.

He claimed he was only dismissed because Prime Minister Gaston Browne was acting on “misinformation” and they are yet to speak about the issue.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="213"] Gaston Browne.[/caption] The speed at which Browne sacked Asot Michael has shocked many observers.

The former minister had not been released from custody when his firing was announced, and Browne admitted he was unsure of the details.

Despite criticism of his decision, the prime minister has defended his “proactive” response.

“This is a form of good governance. It is not any punitive action or form of condemnation. It is a decent thing to do and I hope he will take this seriously and reinvent himself,” Browne said.