A high-profile political controversy has emerged in Antigua and Barbuda, where Prime Minister Gaston Browne has publicly announced he is exploring legal options against Gisele Isaac, chair of the country’s main opposition United Progressive Party, over an article he claims carries defamatory content.\n\nBrowne made the announcement during an appearance on his own weekly broadcast, the Browne and Browne Show, this past Saturday. The prime minister detailed that the contentious article written by Isaac directly linked him and his cabinet to illegal money laundering activity, quoting the piece as claiming that “the Cabinet and Gaston Browne will get back to its usual job of laundering money.”\n\nStrongly pushing back against the damaging accusation, Browne issued a flat denial of any involvement in money laundering or any form of corrupt practice. He emphasized that Isaac has failed to produce any credible evidence to back up the serious claim, and warned opposition figures against targeting him with unsubstantiated corruption labels. \n\n“When they’re using the word corruption, use generic terms. Don’t put my name in there, otherwise I’m going to sue you,” Browne stated in a clear warning to political opponents.\n\nOutlining his next steps, the prime minister explained that he plans to first track down a full copy of the article, consult with advisers to confirm whether the statement meets the legal definition of defamation, and then pass the materials to his legal team to pursue formal action. “I’m going to try and find it,” he said. “You all can advise me if it’s defamatory, and we’ll just send it to my lawyer.”\n\nAs of Saturday’s announcement, Browne has not confirmed that a lawsuit has already been filed with the courts. Additionally, Isaac has not yet made any public statement in response to Browne’s comments and the threat of legal action, leaving the political community waiting for the opposition chair’s side of the exchange.
PM Browne Threatens Legal Action Over Gisele Isaac’s Money Laundering Claim
