During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Gaston Browne and his colleagues decided to honor the late MP Asot Michael with an official funeral. Michael was tragically murdered just days ago, marking a somber occasion for the nation.
Last year, in a historic moment for Antigua, Michael was sworn in as an independent member of Parliament after facing significant political adversity. His journey to this point was fraught with challenges; he was ousted from the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) amid a public feud with Prime Minister Browne. In the lead-up to the January 18 general elections, Browne notably excluded Michael from the party’s candidate list, opting for Rawdon Turner instead. Despite legal hurdles and negative media attention, Michael staged a comeback, overwhelmingly securing his seat as the representative for St. Peter, becoming the first independent to do so in the nation’s history.
Michael dedicated his remarkable victory to the constituents of St. Peter, reflecting on his long service to the country which began in 1995 when he served as a Special Administrative Assistant to Prime Minister Lester Bird, eventually rising to become Bird’s Chief of Staff in 1997. His career progressed further with his appointment as a Government Senator in 1999 and as Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office, where he oversaw critical sectors like Public Works and Energy until his promotion to a full ministerial position in 2001.
His political journey continued as he was elected to the House of Representatives for St. Peter in 2004 under the Antigua Labour Party, which later transformed into the ABLP. He was re-elected in subsequent years, 2014 and 2018, showcasing his strong connection with his constituency.
Meanwhile, the investigation into Michael’s murder has escalated with the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB) taking decisive action.
A person of interest has been detained, and the police are engaging with multiple individuals to uncover the details of this tragic event.
Police PRO Frankie Thomas has confirmed the ongoing interrogations but has withheld specifics pending further investigation. The authorities are also examining local surveillance videos to aid in reconstructing the events leading to Michael’s death.
London’s Metropolitan Police will also be asked to assist the RPFAB with investigations into the murders of 17-year-old Yenifer Bridge and 15-year-old Achazia James. The two young women were murdered in separate events this July and August.
