After much discussion on Wednesday, the Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, decided to grant MP Asot Michael an official funeral, who was murdered a few days ago.
In February last year, for the first time in Antigua’s history, Micheal was sworn in as an independent member of Parliament
It was a rocky road for Michael at the time. He was essentially booted from the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) despite his many claims that he was still a member.
It stemmed from a then-public dispute with Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who, throughout the months leading up to the January 18 general elections, shockingly left the long-serving ABLP member off of his slate, replacing him with newcomer Rawdon Turner.
Michael faced numerous legal challenges, but despite the unfavorable media coverage, he successfully reclaimed his position in St. Peter, winning by a significant margin and becoming the first independent candidate in Antigua to secure a seat.
He dedicated this victory to the people of St. Peter.
In 1995, Michael started his governmental career as a Special Administrative Assistant to then-Prime Minister Lester Bird, later rising to the role of Bird’s Chief of Staff in 1997.
In 1999, he was appointed as a Government Senator and became the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office, where he managed areas such as Public Works, Communications, Insurance, Energy, and the St. John’s Development Corporation.
He held this position until 2001, when he was promoted to a full minister overseeing these responsibilities until 2003. Additionally, he served as Junior Minister of Finance from 2001 to 2003 and was the Leader of Government Business in the Senate from 1999 to 2003.
Michael was first elected to the House of Representatives for the Saint Peter constituency in 2004.
He was part of the Antigua Labour Party during his elections in 2004 and 2009, and after the party evolved into the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, he was re-elected in 2014 and 2018.
In 2016, Michael received the Best Tourism Minister Award for the Caribbean from the Caribbean Journal.
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Why isn’t he given a State Funeral he died in Office. That day should be given a holiday as well.
@Theolinda Elise Charles
That’s what an Official funeral is…
He will be given the full treatment, police, firing squad, parade ECT.
Definitely do agree that day should be a holiday because of circumstances
“A young male suspect, reportedly of JAMAICAN descent, was detained while allegedly attempting to flee the country.”
Good job police and imigration for catching the JAMAICAN descent trying to flee the country.
Crime and violence in Jamaican DNA????
tf you talking bout deport him how tf u expect to deport a Antiguan born national u ever hear u can deport someone from the country deh horn if he did born Jamaican he would a born FUCKING straight
jus brc his relative from Jamaica dnt make him one of us because his birth FUCKING right is Antigua keep alyo batty MSN if he was born Jamaican he wouldn’t killed ascot because Jamaican loves ascot
dnt come blame Jamaica now ascot was murdered by one of you all own an the news is FUCKING wicked because they know he horn here a shame dem shame having jsmsican family DMT make him JAMAICAN
you all acting like FUCKING ANTIGUAN a paradise with alyo rotten down bloodclaat flowl coop houses alyo a rent ppl full a roaches an bloodclaat rats go suck u mother Jamaica descent means he have Jamaican blood family he wasnt born there a fi unuh own nation him be you stinking pussyole a act lime ya a paradise unuh stink like shit every FUCKING thing is Jamaican
kmt everything ppl jus talk talk
A State funeral is reserved for the Monarch (in Antigua and Barbuda the Governor General) and the head of government i.e., the Prime Minister. A national hero such as Sir Viv would also be given a State funeral. Members of Parliament are accorded official funerals.
Based on his service to our Nation. He was a sitting Parliamentary member for many years. He was murdered. In my opinion, he should be given a State Funeral. Not because he was a regular Member of Parliament.
@BUGSY I fo not understand why so many people allow emotions rather than pure logic to affect their decision making. So because Asot Michael was murdered and he did not die of natural causes he should be given a State funeral. An Official funeral should be given to all Members of Parliament irrespective of their cause of death. Another example of the disputed logic of many is that there is a difference in Independent Members of Parliament if you ran as an Independent and win and if you were elected on a Party ticket and subsequent resign. Logically, there is no difference.
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