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PM Browne Signals Legal Action Against Defamation Campaigns
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced plans to take legal action against individuals he accuses of waging a coordinated campaign to damage his reputation both locally and abroad.
Speaking on his Browne and Browne programme on Pointe FM, the Prime Minister said the time had come to go on the offensive after years of enduring what he called malicious and unfounded accusations.
“These people are now routinely trying to literally destroy my integrity by taking me to international entities, courts, and tribunals to try and sully my name,” Browne said. “I don’t know that I can just sit back and defend—I have to go on the offensive.”
He said the continued legal attacks—often involving foreign advocacy groups—are not only targeting him personally but are costing the government significant sums in legal fees. He referenced the ongoing Alfa Nero litigation, which he said could cost the government up to US$400,000 in legal defence.
“They don’t have money, so they can’t get hurt financially,” he said of his detractors. “Well, you can bankrupt them. They’re bankrupt already—officially.”
Browne clarified that his intention to sue is not about silencing free speech. “We believe in diversity of views,” he said. “And I think I’m one of the most tolerant prime ministers anywhere in the world when it comes to taking criticism. But this is beyond criticism—it’s defamation.”
The Prime Minister also alluded to previous cases involving the PLH project in Barbuda and legal complaints supported by international NGOs like the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), which he claims were part of an effort to falsely tie him to corruption.
“There were lies told—that I owned PLH, that I was getting kickbacks. They took us to court and lost, but PLH had to spend over a million dollars defending the case,” Browne said.
He warned that some of his associates had been subjected to legal inquiries aimed at uncovering alleged transactions involving him. “Even people who are wealthy, who may have some kind of friendship with me—they’ve used certain legal systems to try and interrogate them,” he said.
Dismissing suggestions that he has used public office for personal gain, Browne said, “I’m not a greedy man. Even before I became Prime Minister, I could take care of my obligations. I didn’t come into office looking for opportunities to enrich myself.”
The Prime Minister said more details would be revealed in time but maintained that a firm legal response is now necessary to put an end to what he called a campaign of “character assassination.”
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Chupz times so u hard for you that u til go sue dem chupz give me a break ‼️🙄
Scare tatics galore. You can always tell when an election is nigh, could this be a way of stifling genuine criticisms
The Opposition is not who you should be worried about it’s the Green Archer some say he conducts himself more like a true leader, his tongue is not as caustic and he would command more respect. Oh! and some say he’s more brainy
Damn hypocrite! A nah he the same man a post feet picture and a clown people on fb. What good about your name?
Last week you are the same person that said people in politics should have a thick skin. “If people in politics should have thick skin, then why do you have thin skin and can’t take criticism?.”
start with the punk J’Truth for all the defamatory remarks he made about you and stop having him stream your program via his page
While Prime Minister expresses frustration over what he perceives as a campaign to damage his reputation, his response—threatening or initiating legal action—risks setting a dangerous precedent for democratic governance and freedom of expression. Rather than reinforcing integrity, this approach can be interpreted as an attempt to silence dissent, especially in a small nation where political criticism is often met with severe pushback.
First, it is important to recognize that political leaders are public figures and, as such, are expected to be subject to scrutiny. Criticism, even when harsh, is part of the democratic process and a reflection of a healthy civil society. The use of litigation to address public criticism—particularly when it comes from NGOs, journalists, or concerned citizens—may discourage whistleblowing and suppress legitimate oversight.
Second, the Prime Minister’s complaints about the cost of legal cases—like the Alfa Nero or PLH litigation—fail to acknowledge that such scrutiny often arises from a lack of transparency in governance. If these accusations are truly baseless, they should be easily dismissed in court without resorting to a legal offensive. Suing critics only adds fuel to the perception that there is something to hide, especially when the lawsuits are funded, directly or indirectly, by the public.
Moreover, labeling these legal challenges as part of an “international conspiracy” or a “coordinated campaign” may deflect from the substance of the concerns being raised. Advocacy organizations like GLAN don’t typically engage in politically motivated litigation without thorough investigation and credible evidence. To call these efforts “lies” without addressing the core allegations transparently may come across as dismissive rather than exonerating.
Finally, the Prime Minister’s statement—“I’m not a greedy man… I could take care of my obligations”—does not absolve him from the responsibility to uphold ethical standards in public office. A leader’s financial independence before taking office does not make them immune to corruption concerns. The real issue is accountability and the appearance of impropriety—not personal wealth.
In conclusion, while the Prime Minister has a right to defend his reputation, the use of legal threats against critics risks undermining democratic norms, discouraging civic engagement, and casting a shadow over transparency. What is needed is not more lawsuits, but more openness, independent oversight, and respectful engagement with dissenting voices.
@Wadadli4ever
It is simply a way to stop criticism so you would be free to clean up as we would say here
Gaston ‘Litigious’ Browne, if you can’t deal with the many valid criticisms of your past and present governance; pray tell the citizens of this great country, why on earth did you enter into policies in the first instance?
Many of us had no idea that you were so THIN skinned. Seems like your incessant bragging, boasting and JACTATION catching up wid you …
*politics
Mr. Prime Minister. Some years ago you took Queen Ivena to court. Since then we have not heard anything from that case. Why such a secrecy. At one time people were coming to you on her behalf to seek clemency. But to date we have not heard anything. Please your supporters need to know. When Lester Bird sue Observer and other when the accused his of having an affaire with a minor they all run helter-skelter. In the end Lester won his case in court and since then Winston Derreck was careful what people said on his radio station. He felt it in his financials and became cautious. many think that free speech means say anything you want. And especially here and other website where people post incognito they think they can hide and say any thing. Yes they can call you names. Like you call Pearl Dutty Foot. That is permitted. But it is a thin line many are walking and the editors of those websites are warned to know what they publish on their websites.
Cry me a river @ Less We Forget. You hate it when people criticise the ABLP and Gaston Browne’s broken manifesto promises; yet UPP supporters have to put with the same said thing – and much much worse!
However, here’s the BIG difference between the two support groups, we take it on the chin (and gladly so), but all we here from you myopic acolytes, Gastonites and cultists are blaming the past UPP government for the – current – ABLP’s 11 years of mismanagement.
ONE DAY YOU GUYS WILL TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR OWN MESS …
@Brixtonian July 25, 2025 At 2:22 pm
“ABLP’s 11 years of mismanagement.”
Making baseless statement is all you do. When you make a statement like that why not put meat to the bone. Name the miss management. because as I have corrected you time and time again, ALL reputable institutions have name Antigua and Barbuda as the fastest growing economy in the Caribbean for years now. And one time it was in the entire South America accept for Guyana. So you keep making your baseless comments. It will please only your heart. Like Chicken little.