Pringle speaking in Parliament on Monday
PM Browne Says Pringle ‘Threatened Rebellion’ Before DCA Removed Morris Bay Tent
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has defended the Development Control Authority’s removal of an illegal tent structure at Morris Bay, saying Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle openly challenged authorities in Parliament and acted “with impunity” against the law.
The controversy erupted after Pringle, during Tuesday’s budget debate, publicly dared the DCA to remove the tent. Hours later, enforcement officers carried out the removal as part of what officials say is a longstanding effort to clear unauthorized structures from the beachfront.
Browne said Pringle’s comments crossed a line and amounted to encouraging lawlessness. “The consequences of refusing to comply with the requirements of the law and threatening rebellion,” he said. “He threatened us in Parliament yesterday during the debate. You can’t be wrong and strong.”
The Prime Minister said the vendor associated with the structure had been repeatedly warned. “He was warned in writing and verbally. Instead of cooperating, he threatened further lawlessness. He was taken seriously and we acted accordingly,” Browne said.
He added that Pringle’s remarks had wider implications for national compliance. “His threat has implications for compliance by other vendors. A message had to be sent,” he said.
Browne also said other operators who follow instructions would not face similar measures. “On the basis that the others cooperate with us, we will use soft hands, reorganize and find them alternatives appropriate.”
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Browne, you did this because he’s part of the opposition party. Stop with your nonsense!
If what you are is true, did you or the DCA give prior notification?
If so, then release the details nah Dragoman.
I agree that MP Pringle should cease and desist from operating any business unlawfully (if he is). Just like I agree that there should be an investigation into the misappropriation of $15 million or more in the vehicle matter. I want all alleged violations to be treated the same, with proper investigation and action.
With all due respect, the Hon Jamale Pringle deserved better than this. I would never encourage anyone to break the law but as Leader of the Opposition, I would have hoped that the DCA would have engaged in ongoing discussions with Leader Pringle to get to a better and more cordial outcome. If the tables were turned and it was the Prime Minister, I would never expect the DCA to take such drastic action against him. The office that he holds commands better and greater respect. I honestly think that such action was uncalled for and showed a total disregard for our Leaders, all of them. And lest anyone thinks I am promoting anyone to disregard state laws, I am not. But this is not an ordinary citizen, this is the Leader of the Opposition and this should have been handled differently.
Gaston brown please do the investigation into the cars the 15 million dollars.. that’s what you need to investigate.. what about your buddy that you are protecting.. you won’t call his name but you call all the others and believe me they are waiting to see you fall and willing to help.. this is really annoying.. you really losing it.. don’t you know people are just agreeing with you because they can’t disagree with you?
Narcissistic, with a mild dose of Alzheimer’s
Little better than mr Joseph … you’ll need to pull up at cooks and jump trash 🗑️ in ..
@Audley Philip. Please explain what you mean he is not no ordinary citizen. Do we have different level of citizens in Antigua. Are you saying politicians are about the law. Help me out here. Because for now you sound very foolish
he just like to run up his mouth….that’s why that Dominican pageant contestant did him so bad!!!
The leader of the Opposition is under the same rule of the law as the rest of the society. The Constitution does not make any distinction. I am a UPP supporter but he clearly broke the law with impunity. Would you have been as strident had it been an ordinary citizen or are you creating different laws and different treatment for certain members of society? Your reasoning is extremely flawed.
The greatest violator of our laws is calling out someone for being lawless. It’s going to be just too laborious to outline all his infractions in the last decade, up until just very recently. Stealing is unlawful.
oh SHUT UP MARTIN!!! Leave BLACK people alone!
As an Old Road resident watching this play out, I will say that first and foremost, I am enjoying sitting on my gallery and enjoying listening to the sound of the waves breaking on the beach, instead of Mr Pringles generator.
On the other hand, I deeply appreciate Mr Pringles attempts to keep this beach available for all..
It is a profound problem in this island that we cannot have a rational debate about any issues
Pringle is Rude!! and foolish!!
@Curious December 10, 2025 At 8:36 pm
That is how they behaved when they were in office.
I don’t know if you remember when the Hon. John Maginley was accused of assaulting a female officer. The case went nowhere
And then the Hon. Hilson Baptiste assaulted a police officer at the airport for ticketing him. These people always want to think that they are above the laws of this country. That is why giving them power is a very dangerous. And then Pringle stands in the highest court of the land and challenged the authority to do something. Telling the whole world how tough he is. Only in Antigua and Barbuda. I wait and see what it is they will do with the snake for his disrespect to the Speaker of the House this morning. Unbelievable the way these guys behave. No regards whatsoever for authority.
Y’all just gave him more voters what a dumb move should have been given advanced notice to take it down properly.
Clearly the “Little Black Boy” is desperate in his search for a new cause to rally his noisy, unruly, vagabond base. What makes this boy any different than any other citizen in Antigua and Barbuda? Excuse the likes of “Oddly” Phillip a clear choir-member singing for his supper. Pringle recognizes that the gang he leads is in dire need of a transfusion, so by openly flouting the law, he is hoping to galvanize his unruly mob into mounting a credible public demonstration that his Vehicle-gate laughable demonstrations failed to achieve. You break the law, you suffer the consequences. Simple.
This doesn’t look good. More like political victimisation so close to Christmas.
@Curious – I was coming here to ask @Audly Philip exactly what he meant. If you get a notice, comply. That is all. It didn’t have to come to this. He should have just gone and dismantle the tent.
@Crossroad – Wasn’t the notice given since the 18th November? He shoulda done go an tek um dung. Wrong is wrong man. Regardless of our political affiliation, we must be seen to be compliant and do the right thing. We are too lawless.
Let you clarify since the question was asked. We are all citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, but by virtue of the high office they hold, one cannot expect the Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to have their structure knocked down like this, even if notice was given for it’s removal. The office they hold carries (should) much weight and respect. Protocol should dictate how our leaders are handled and treated.
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