Ministerial shake-up following Asot Michael arrest

Last updated: October 28, 2017 at 14:48 pm

The responsibilities of sacked MP Asot Michael have been absorbed by a number of current ministers, the Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister has announced.

A change was needed following the arrest of Michael earlier this week.

He opted against appointing a new minister for tourism, economic development, investment and energy.

Gaston Browne announced the new roles at the weekly sitting of cabinet yesterday.

Henry Charles Fernandez, who was previously minister of foreign affairs, international trade and immigration, has now been appointed minister of tourism, foreign affairs and immigration.

Sir Robin Yearwood receives the energy portfolio, while EP Chet Greene is kept busy by heading up the investment, economic development, international trade, the National Economic and Social Council and the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority.

Michael swiftly scrubbed

The prime minister’s schedule also got busier, with Public-Private Partnerships, the West Indies Oil Company Limited, the National Asset Management Company (NAMCO), and the Citizenship by Investment Unit coming under his control.

[caption id="attachment_7056" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Asot Michael.[/caption]

Browne was forced to act after firing Asot Michael soon after the St Peter MP was arrested on Monday morning.

Michael flew into Gatwick Airport, south of London, when investigators from the UK’s National Crime Agency picked him up.

Before he was even released from detention Browne had made moves to relieve him of his duties, something that has been criticised in the region.

Despite that, Browne has defended his conduct, calling it "a form of good governance." Asot Michael has denied any wrongdoing, although has not revealed why he was arrested. An email reportedly leaked from the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office appears to link the veteran politician’s arrest with an investigation into bribery in the Caribbean.

The UK authorities have declined to comment on the contents of the email.