Antigua Tourism Minister denies wrongdoing after Gatwick arrest
Antigua and Barbuda’s Tourism Minister, Asot Michael, has issued a statement after being relieved of his duties by the islands’ Prime Minister.
The move came after Michael was arrested at London Gatwick on Monday and questioned by Metropolitan police.
He was on his way to Cannes for a real estate and investment conference on behalf of the Antigua and Barbuda Government.
The widely publicised incident prompted the Prime Minster, Gaston Browne, to immediately revoke his position pending the outcome of the arrest, which has attracted much media speculation.
But in his statement Michael denied any wrongdoing and said he was released without charge, was not on bail, and insisted that police did not impose any restriction on his travels.
"I regard it as unfortunate that the Prime Minister did not contact me beforehand, in which case I could have explained the position to him," he said.
"I fully accept and respect the Prime Minister’s right to appoint and remove ministers in his Government.
"However, in the circumstances I consider that the Prime Minister’s decision in this case, to relieve me of my ministerial responsibilities, is likely to be due to a misapprehension of what has taken place, and second hand information, indeed misinformation.
"I do not consider that any justifiable question has arisen that I have failed to comply with the highest possible standards required of public office."
He said he plans to speak to the PM as soon as possible and explain the situation.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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