{"id":226250,"date":"2025-02-20T11:01:31","date_gmt":"2025-02-20T15:01:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=226250"},"modified":"2025-02-20T11:16:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T15:16:49","slug":"boris-latour-decertified-as-ambassador-says-hurst","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/boris-latour-decertified-as-ambassador-says-hurst\/","title":{"rendered":"Boris Latour ‘Decertified’ as Ambassador, Says Hurst"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ambassador Boris Latour Decertified Amid Familial Dispute; Latour Denies Allegations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ST. JOHN\u2019S, Antigua<\/strong> \u2013 The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has decertified<\/strong> Boris Latour as Ambassador to France following reports of a legal dispute involving his family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chief of Staff Lionel Max Hurst confirmed the decision during a post-Cabinet briefing today, stating that the government acted in the best interest of the country.<\/p>

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Hurst explained that the decision stemmed from allegations regarding Latour\u2019s involvement in a dispute concerning his father\u2019s property, which led to legal proceedings. <\/p>

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\u201cWe have learned through the press that he engaged in some activity aimed at his father\u2019s property that caused him to come before the law,\u201d Hurst stated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo there is some familial dispute that has led Latour to be decertified<\/strong> by the government of Antigua and Barbuda. We have done away with his certification.\u201d<\/p>

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He acknowledged that Latour had previously served without issue but emphasized that the government took swift action in response to the matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe was a good man until this series of events with his brother and his father. And so it is in the best interest of the government, in the best interest of Antigua and Barbuda, to ask him to leave,\u201d Hurst added.<\/p>

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In a statement issued on behalf of Boris Latour strongly refuted the allegations and emphasized that he had voluntarily resigned to clear his name.<\/p>

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\u201cThe Ambassador has voluntarily resigned\u2014he has not been dismissed\u2014so that he may demonstrate his innocence. Mr. Latour is an honorable individual, a highly successful entrepreneur, and a distinguished diplomat, who is clearly the victim of a malicious conspiracy intended to undermine his reputation and integrity.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement further described the allegations against Latour as \u201cspurious\u201d<\/strong> and part of a broader misinformation campaign aimed at damaging his reputation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese claims, entirely baseless and clearly aimed at discrediting him, are firmly rejected as \u2018fake news.\u2019 All legal avenues will be pursued to defend his rights and preserve his honor.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement also stressed the importance of maintaining the presumption of innocence and verifying facts before spreading damaging information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe future will confirm that Mr. Latour bears no responsibility for these fallacious accusations. We also remind everyone that, from an ethical standpoint, it is important to moderate accusations and verify facts before disseminating potentially harmful information.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When questioned about the procedure followed in decertifying<\/strong> Latour, Hurst noted that the government considered media reports sufficient grounds for the decision. \u201cI\u2019m not so sure about the factual evidence. We think that the report in the newspaper is sufficient,\u201d<\/strong> he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He elaborated on the formal process, explaining that diplomatic appointments require certification from both the Governor General and the head of state\u2014currently King Charles III. Consequently, the government will also be withdrawing Latour\u2019s appointment through official channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs the ambassador to France, he had to have an appointment instrument being issued not only by the governor general but also by the head of state of Antigua and Barbuda. So we are withdrawing that as well,\u201d<\/strong> Hurst stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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