Prime Minister Gaston Browne has moved to put to rest speculation about the future of Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams, declaring unequivocally that there are no plans to remove him from office.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the clarification during his swearing-in ceremony on Friday, shortly after acknowledging Sir Rodney at the opening of his remarks. "And by the way, there's no intention to remove him as Governor General," the Prime Minister stated.
The comment appeared to be a direct response to a pre-election report published by Real News Antigua, an opposition-aligned outlet, which claimed ahead of the April 30 general election that a change at Government House was under consideration. That report, which cited unnamed sources, alleged that a replacement for the Governor-General had already been identified and that the prospect was generating concern within government circles.
Browne did not name the publication directly. However, his remarks came within broader comments in which he criticised what he described as misinformation and false narratives spread during the election campaign.
The Prime Minister and his Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party secured a commanding victory in Thursday's polls, winning 15 of the 17 parliamentary seats. The result delivers Browne a fourth consecutive term in office.
The Governor-General serves as the ceremonial representative of the monarch under Antigua and Barbuda's constitutional framework. No official communication from the government has indicated any planned changes to that office.
Browne's public statement signals that Sir Rodney Williams will continue in his role as his administration embarks on its new term.
