TTGUARDIAN: Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne hasn’t shaken the Trinidad and Tobago Government by threatening to sue for US$60 million based on promises made for compensation following the collapse of Clico in 2009.
In an audio interview uploaded to the YouTube page of “Antigua Breaking News” on Sunday, which came from an interview done earlier on Pointe FM’s Browne on Browne programme, Browne is heard saying, “We are pursuing litigation against Duprey and company and possibly, we may eventually have to sue the government of T&T.”
Browne said the T&T Government had promised to pay a settlement of $100 million but had only paid $40 million. He did not say from which government, and which year this promise was made.
“They have not even treated us with the type of respect that is typical, you know, among countries and colleagues. So we’ll be writing to them again, this probably gonna be the third time,” Browne continued in the audio.
Yesterday, however, T&T Government officials declined to comment officially but Guardian Media was told the Government has no record of any such correspondence being sent to them. However, sources said the Government is ready for any possible lawsuit, mainly because lawyers advising the Government are saying there is no legal foundation for such a lawsuit.
The legal advice noted that the Antiguan government would have to overcome the June 28, 2016 Privy Council judgment in the case of The United Policyholders Group and others (the Appellants) v The Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago.
The ruling basically states a government can override a previous administration’s promise based on the current economic circumstances. The Clico policyholders argued then that the Government gave assurances of a Clico bailout which created a “legitimate expectation” of support. However, the Government did not agree to the terms when it announced a new bailout plan in 2010/2011.
The Privy Council ruled the Government was entitled to change its mind for what it perceived to be good reasons based on macroeconomic and macro-political issues.
But it’s those economic changes that have given Prime Minister Browne confidence T&T may be able to make a full payment. On the radio show, he said, “We hope that now that their fortunes have improved, that they are benefiting from the increase and escalation in fuel prices, that they will put some system in place to cover the rest of the liability.”
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And there you have it – again – citizens of Antigua.
The other day Gaston Browne ah run-up he mout’ about litigation matters with Trinidad, instead of sitting down and negotiating and thrashing out some sort of agreement.
Our Prime Minister has not an ounce of diplomacy in his body when it comes to political leaders of colour.
Check him when he meets up with Trudeau, Johnson, Biden and any caucasian European ministers – he wouldn’t dream of giving any of them a hard time. Lickspittler!
Did he really think that the Hon. Keith Rowley of Trinidad & Tobago was going to sit-back and not retaliate in kind?
IS GASTON BROWNE THE “SECOND” WORSE LEADER ANTIGUA HAVE HAD SINCE LESTER BIRD?
WHAT!!!!!!, Keith Rowley not shaking in his boots because TOP DAWG bark.
Gaston, a weary tell you that those CARICOM leaders don’t like you and they would do things just to put you inna yu place.
In the meantime, Antigua a suffer!
I can wait to trow out Gaston ARS*
This is sadder than anything. Gaston is speaking so much but with no foundation.
Oh dear dear dear, here we go again!
Gaston is caught lying again!
Gaston SAYS he sent the letter
Rowley says he never received the letter!
Gaston, why do you talk SO much.
Stop RUNNING your mouth and approach your work with the rest
of the Caribbean with dignity and like a respectable person.
But you want to impress the people that listen to POINTE FM.
Now you go and spoil it for the insurance policy holder
YOU ARE THE WORSE PRIME MINISTER EVER:
EVERY THING YOU TOUCH, YOU MASH UP
You hear lie! That is lie! Teacher Percy say if you tell a lie you going to hell …
. Gaston say he sent a letter. Rowley say he never receive any letter. How can someone know who is lieing. Can we be real for once ?
Welcome to ANR comment section where everything Gaston Browne say its a lie despite of them not have proof its a lie. What is really shocking to see thought is that Antiguans so hate their own PM they rather see Trinidad get way with Antigua people money all because them hate Gaston Browne
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