PM Gaston Browne's office condemns "false reporting" by The Observer

Maurice Merchant, Director of Communications at Prime Minister Gaston Browne 's office, dismissed a misleading story in the Observer newspaper about remarks about salary increases for lawmakers and public officials.

The Daily Observer reported in its January 11 edition that Prime Minister Browne is considering a pay raise for legislators, including government ministers.

Merchant emphasized that the Prime Minister said precisely the reverse of what the Daily Observer piece implied.

The Director of Communications emphasized that "the Prime Minister's exact comments were as follows: "Many of my ministers would have stated to me since the last term that at some point we have to reconsider parliamentary remuneration," according to the Director of Communications.

When the Prime Minister went on to say, "I don't know when that will be, Clearly, we are unable at this time due to the COVID situation and other factors."

"The Prime Minister's speech can be heard on the website of Antigua Newsroom, where it was released by that Internet news outlet," Merchant stated.

Merchant remarked, "It is sad and deceptive reporting by the Observer newspaper to remove from its storey the pellucid comment by the Prime Minister that no consideration can be given to an increase in salary for lawmakers at this time or in the foreseeable future."

The Observer Newspaper should consider revising its inaccurate article by citing the Prime Minister's statements, rejecting an increase in pay for lawmakers due to the negative impact of COVID-19 on government finances, in the interest of fair reporting and acceptable journalism standards.