Prime Minister Gaston Browne says he has instructed his lawyers to proceed with legal action against El Pais for defamation.
Browne made the disclosure on his personal Facebook page this morning.
The Spanish online newspaper quoted a former lawyer for construction company Odebrecht saying bribes were paid to several officials around the world.
The prime minister who was named in the article said, “I am aware that there is a defamatory article published on the El Pais news portal, that is being maliciously circulated. I have instructed my attorneys to proceed with legal action against El Pais for defamation.”
Browne denies any involvement and warns persons against share the article published by El Pais or they will face a law suit.
“I hereby warn that anyone caught circulating the defamatory article will also be sued.”
The prime minister also denies having any conversation with any associate of Odebrecht.
“I repeat, that I never had any conversation with anyone associated with Odebrecht directly, or indirectly, about withholding information from Brazilian authorities. Also, I never received or solicited any payment from them for any service, legal or illegal.”
The Antiguan leader says “my Government and I acted with probity, shared the information with Brazilian authorities, and froze their bribe accounts at Meinl Bank.
But Browne denies knowing Odebrecht’s or any of its associates.
He says, “By the way, I do not even know these crooks. They may have bribed other Presidents and Prime Ministers but not this one.”
Legal action against the online newspaper is sure according to Browne.
“The people of Antigua & Barbuda can be assured that El Pais will surely pay for this defamation.”
“I will continue to provide good, accountable and transparent governance to the people of Antigua & Barbuda – a commitment on which I firmly stand,” he added.
According to Browne, all attempts to defame me will be fought vigorously.
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In All HONESTY…..did anyone expect GASTON not to threaten a lawsuit??? I do have a question for the goodly Innocent Prime Minister…… Why would a man Sit in Court, call anyone’s name, give date’s, times and figures knowing full well that he’s facing significant jail time…… Did he just pull the names out of thin air? Is he a real true Magician???? I don’t expect an answer so….. Go ahead SUE me for wanting access to my freedom of information!!!!!
Did the article name him -the PM or it said officials around the world were paid bribes? Cause if it did not mention him by name, you throw stone in a hog pen, the one who squeals a him get it. I’m going start call my honourable PM Sue.
We will wait and see how that goes, hope it doesn’t back fire on him
Part of the bigger problem is that the Prime Ministers in our region are closely associating with each other and sharing ideas and resources including Lawyers/ Operatives while the Opposition Leaders in some cases may not even have met each other in Person.
The way forward in this region is being charted by only the People in Power and there is no organised Opposition to create that balance of power which is necessary in a real Democracy!
Threats of lawsuits is an effective means of silencing the opposing side this has been well documented
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