标签： Antigua and Barbuda

A significant controversy has emerged involving the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF), as a recent court filing accuses its leadership of deliberately providing false information to the High Court. This alleged misinformation reportedly led to what the plaintiff describes as an erroneous and unjust decision. The case, brought forward by Captain Javonson Willock, alleges misconduct in public office against Brigadier General Telbert Benjamin and Lieutenant Colonel Dalton Graham. The trial is set to commence on October 8, 2025, and tensions have escalated following revelations that critical information presented to the Court may have been misleading. Captain Willock sought permission to cross-examine Lieutenant Colonel Alando Michael and Sergeant Manyakie Edwards, key witnesses for the defense. During a recent hearing, Willock argued that Sergeant Edwards’ testimony was crucial in demonstrating the alleged malice and misconduct of the defendants. The defense opposed the application, claiming that Sergeant Edwards was in China, where time-zone differences and communication challenges made remote testimony impractical. Acting on this information, the Court denied Willock’s request and ordered him to pay $750 in costs to the defendants for his late application. However, Willock has since filed new evidence suggesting that Edwards is not in China but in the United States, where time-zone differences and communication barriers are minimal. This revelation raises serious questions about the integrity of the defense’s submissions to the Court and the fairness of the judicial process. The allegation that the ABDF may have misled a sitting High Court judge strikes at the heart of public confidence in state institutions. If senior members of the Defence Force are found to have knowingly misrepresented facts to the judiciary, it could erode trust in the justice system and the armed forces. The High Court is now expected to consider Captain Willock’s fresh application to cross-examine Sergeant Edwards in light of the new evidence. Willock continues to represent himself, while the defendants are represented by Mrs. Joy Dublin-Baptiste, Ms. Rose-Ann Kim, and Ms. Chandera Codrinton.

The Social Security Director of Antigua and Barbuda has revealed that the United Progressive Party (UPP) government significantly increased the arrears owed to the Social Security scheme during its first term in office. According to David Mathias, who appeared on the Browne and Browne Show, the arrears grew by $127 million between 2003 and 2009. By October 2003, just before the UPP assumed power, the outstanding amount was approximately $366 million. However, by 2009, this figure had surged to nearly $494 million. Prime Minister Gaston Browne, also present on the show, emphasized that this increase occurred within the UPP’s first five years in office. Mathias confirmed that the arrears stemmed from unpaid premiums, including employee deductions that were not remitted to the scheme. By 2010, the UPP government consolidated the debt into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Social Security Board, resulting in a total liability of $550 million, which included unpaid contributions, loans, and penalties. This revelation highlights the substantial financial burden added during the UPP’s tenure and underscores the long-standing issue of arrears accumulation across successive administrations.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to clearing outstanding Social Security arrears, emphasizing that the fund remains robust with substantial cash reserves. Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show, Browne highlighted his administration’s efforts to reduce inherited liabilities, including paying down a $330 million bond to approximately $218 million. He announced a new bond deal aimed at settling the remaining $100 million owed to the Social Security Scheme. Browne stressed that his government has consistently paid full premiums since 2014, unlike previous administrations that made partial payments based on estimates. However, he acknowledged that monthly contributions became inconsistent following the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, Browne dismissed concerns about the sustainability of pensions or benefits, noting that the scheme maintains liquidity of $35 to $40 million. His remarks come amid opposition accusations of financial mismanagement, which Browne countered by asserting that his administration is the first to address decades of accumulated arrears effectively.

At the 86th Annual Delegates’ Conference of the Antigua and Barbuda Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU), featured speaker Carl Christopher lauded Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s administration for its transformative housing and infrastructure initiatives. Christopher described these efforts as a “housing revolution for the workers” and an “infrastructural revolution,” emphasizing their role in elevating living standards across the nation. He highlighted the broader societal benefits, including expanded access to education, ownership opportunities, and investment avenues for the youth. Christopher urged delegates to remain vigilant against detractors, warning against allowing “liars, laggards, and charlatans” to derail the progress achieved. He invoked the legacy of past labour leaders, such as Sylvia Cornwall Byrd, Ivan Peters, and Rufus Lewis, to underscore the importance of unity in addressing global challenges like inflation, climate change, and conflicts. Christopher stressed that these issues are not abstract but directly impact workers, making solidarity essential. He called for continued discipline and productivity, urging the younger generation to view education as a tool for empowerment and job creation. In his closing remarks, Christopher emphasized the critical role of unity, declaring that “the unity of labour is the salvation of our nation.” He rallied support for Prime Minister Browne and AT&LU President Bernard de Nully, asserting that the movement’s future hinges on collective strength.

Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle has come under intense scrutiny following his recent handling of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) session. During a heated discussion on the Browne and Browne Show, panelists lambasted Pringle for what they described as a superficial and ineffective approach to overseeing state finances. Critics accused him of prioritizing theatrics over substantive accountability, with one panelist characterizing the meeting as a ‘pageant and a presentation’ rather than a rigorous examination of public accounts. Pringle’s inability to grasp the complexities of the issues at hand was a recurring theme in the critique. Panelists noted that he appeared to read pre-prepared questions without fully understanding the responses, and failed to ask follow-up questions that would have demonstrated deeper engagement. One commentator likened his performance to ‘someone still trying to grapple with the alphabet,’ highlighting his apparent struggles with comprehension. The criticism extended beyond the panelists, with callers to the program joining the chorus of disapproval. One particularly scathing caller described Pringle as having ‘a coconut head with cement in it,’ questioning how someone with business experience could fail to grasp basic accounting and auditing principles. The backlash underscores growing concerns about Pringle’s leadership capabilities and his effectiveness in holding the government accountable. As the debate continues, the incident raises broader questions about the role and expectations of opposition leaders in ensuring transparency and fiscal responsibility.