Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Minister Arrested

Antigua & Barbuda’s tourism minister was relieved of his duties this week by Gaston Browne, the country’s prime minister, following the former’s arrest in London.

Brown revoked Asot Michael’s appointment as minister of tourism and investment for the dual-island nation pending the outcome of the latter’s arrest Monday morning by the London Metropolitan Police, according to local press reports.

Michael was reportedly traveling to Cannes to speak at a conference in connection with the country’s citizenship by investment program. He was arrested October 23 upon his arrival in the UK.

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In a statement, Michael characterized the arrest as a routine undertaking by U.K. police who wished to speak with him upon his entry into the territory.

"I arrived on a flight from Antigua at Gatwick Airport, on route to Cannes in France, where I was to attend a real estate and investment conference on behalf of the government of Antigua and Barbuda,” Michael said.

“After completing the usual formalities, I was approached by police officers, who asked me to accompany them. I agreed. The officers wished to interview me, and for that purpose, I was arrested,” he said. “I have been advised that this is often done when persons are travelling and not expected to remain in the United Kingdom.”

In the subsequent “interview” with authorities Michael “made it clear that I denied any allegations made against me, and that I have not been involved in any wrongdoing,” he said.

“I then carried on my journey into London. I was not charged with any offence, I am not on bail, and the police did not seek to impose any restriction on my travel.”

An Antigua Observer article says Michael was arrested by the U.K.’s National Crime Agency which sought to question the official regarding “bribes that a U.K. national allegedly paid for business contracts in the Caribbean.”

Browne has said he has no confirmed information on the reasons behind Michael’s arrest. However “the arrest itself is sufficient for me to revoke immediately his appointment as a cabinet member and to relieve him of all ministerial portfolios until this matter is resolved,” he said.

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Michael has been an Antigua legislator since 2004 and previously served as Chief of Staff to former Prime Minister Lester Bird and as the country’s minister of public works, communications and energy and later minister of finance.

Michael’s family reportedly controls several Antigua businesses. He personally donated nearly $200,000 to hurricane relief efforts in Dominica following Hurricane Maria.