CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office, Ambassador Lionel Hurst, has issued a strong appeal to the public and media to refrain from spreading what he described as “lies” surrounding the sale of the luxury yacht Alfa Nero, warning that the misinformation is damaging to the country and could lead to legal consequences.
Speaking at Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Hurst stated that recent claims made by the woman asserting ownership of the vessel are “fabricated” and “harmful to the state of Antigua and Barbuda, to its leadership, and to the entire system of politics.”
“I would wish to discourage those who are spreading lies that have been fabricated by the woman who claims ownership of the Alfa Nero,” Hurst said. “They are hurtful, they are libelous, and in some instances, could bring lawsuits into the laps of those who wish to propagate them.”
He emphasized that there is no place for such misinformation in Antigua and Barbuda’s public discourse and insisted that the Alfa Nero matter has been handled in accordance with the law and in the best interests of the country.
The comments follow intensified scrutiny and speculation regarding the circumstances surrounding the sale of the yacht, including unverified claims published online and discussed in some media circles.
Hurst declined to entertain questions based on what he called fictitious assertions, reiterating the government’s position that the sale was lawful and transparent.
He also pushed back against suggestions that documents related to the sale had disappeared, calling the claim entirely baseless and an attempt to sow public doubt.
“This kind of question is intended to plant in people’s minds another wrongdoing on the part of the government of Antigua and Barbuda, which is not so,” Hurst stated.
The Alfa Nero, which had been moored in Falmouth Harbour since early 2022, was sold following a public auction process.
Hurst has maintained that the legal process was followed throughout, and any allegations to the contrary are part of a politically motivated smear campaign.
The government continues to defend its handling of the sale and warns that those who knowingly spread false information could face legal action.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
The government continues to defend its handling of the sale and warns that those who knowingly spread false information could face legal action.
A who go pay for those legal actions? Tax payers money again. Another $900 usd a hour lawyer firm?
Time will tell a who a lie, all doubts will be clear. It’s a pity we did not find out what really happened to the AFRICANS.
Please take POLITICS out of this matter and reveal the truth. Show the proof of SALE to the Nation and avoid SPECULATION.
As a leader, the expectation is far greater than what is currently being displayed ;a petty, tit-for-tat exchange more fitting for teenagers than the head of a nation. A Prime Minister is meant to uphold the country’s image, yet by resorting to degrading language against members of the very nation he serves, he instead showcases incompetence at the highest level.
He is quick to publicly criticize and grade individuals, yet when it comes to addressing the real crises plaguing the country; where is this same eagerness? Where was this energy with the surge in crime rates , when murders and disappearances continued being unchecked, when strikes are paralyzing essential services, when the cost of living keeps skyrocketing, when rental prices became absurd, when government assistance for youth remains inadequate, when food prices continue to soar, when residents suffer from ongoing water shortages, or when APUA implemented yet another price hike? The list goes on.
Yet, rather than tackling these pressing national issues, strength lies in making remarks about Asa Banton and degrading women.
And now he claims the criticisms against him are “hurtful”? Is it not hurtful when the Prime Minister of a nation refers to individuals as “whores” and “bitches”? If the country’s leader is so comfortable using such language to address residents, what example does that set for the future generation? What standard of leadership are we truly expected to accept?
PUBLIC: The Answer is NO…………….
What bloody misinformation this man is talking about?
Isn’t this very same news media “ANR” published, that, the the Russian abandoned his mega yacht?
We the public didn’t put that blatant lie out there lying Hurst, you and your administration did.
So if there is anyone that’s spreading misinformation about this entire fiasco, it’s you guys, cause we all know that the man didn’t abandon his 100mil yacht.
You should of just listened to the wisdom of many of us who warned you from this mess, and all of this headache would have been avoided, so go and blamed all this on Gatson Brownes pigheadedness, not the public.
This administration is something else
Do y’all ever take responsibility for anything at all, anything?
Unbelievable!
Are these guys for real with that statement?
The Master of Misinformation says: “There is no place for such misinformation in Antigua and Barbuda”.
Such statement shows that they don’t have any respect for the public’s intelligence. It also shows ANR is in the tank in that it does not ask questions, but like many other of the local media; print and upload this ridiculous and disrespectful statement.
Rather than made up sheets of paper. Where are the source documents for the entire transaction?
The Russian woman who claims beneficial ownership as the owner knows exactly what the sale price for the boat was.
Soon as this case move through the Courts; we will hear the US judicial system, and its other institutions are being bias against Antigua and Barbuda.
It’s all the Opposition Party fault folks; they don’t know how to keep their mouths shut when they are asked questions.
Why does Lionel Hurst treat Nikki phoenix
In such a cruel, unprofessional manner.
Eh why?
He’s always talking down to her,
Always trying to school her.
It’s disgusting and cringe worthy to watch..
He needs to stop!
He’s very rude to her!
That old fart.
Labor party act like they own antigua.
In the absence of truth lies become the truth.
Who is to be blamed for whatever the people believe?
Why weren’t you transparent with the country from the start?
Why did it have to take outside pressure to force you to bring us the information that we have been asking?
Richard Lewis asked over and over.
Your ego was just to big.
Who is Richard Lewis to question you especially when you know that all is not clean in Denmark?
Well what we know is the truth.
A one sided story cannot be false.
You are too egoistic.
You cannot learn
You will not learn.
I hope the american counts fond what they are in search of.
Here they go; trying to sensor people like the good dictators that they are. Present credible information and we can start from there. You have told so many different stories on this single issue so how are we to believe anything? You keep telling lies to mask the previous ones, which means that you have not spoken the truth at all. Very soon, you are going to be exposed before the world because this is not going away.
The Chief (or is it tief) of Staff needs to go home and stay there, this dude is a pensioner and should make room for a younger more attractive young lady. I am truly tired looking at Christopher Lee look-a-like, this is not a horror movie, there’s no coffin at ABS
lionel Hurst and Gaston Browne, you can put the issue of the sales proceeds to rest by providing a copy of the signed sales agreement between you guys and the buyer with the buyer’s signature. Some piece of paper signed by a member of your boy’s club as notary is as good as all the crooked deals going down in Antigua.
It takes a lot of craziness to seize somebody’s over $100,000 yacht and sell it, and a Russian owned one at that.
When this is all over, it will cost the government more than the forty thousand you say you received.