Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene has firmly rejected a call by Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle for Prime Minister Gaston Browne to resign in connection with the ongoing Alfa Nero court case, describing the demand as “ridiculous” and without legal basis.
Speaking on WTP Media, Greene dismissed comparisons made by Pringle between the civil proceedings surrounding the luxury yacht Alfa Nero and the past investigation involving the late Asot Michael, who was previously questioned by UK law enforcement.
“The Prime Minister is not a person of interest in any criminal investigation,” Greene said, adding that the case involving Alfa Nero is a private civil matter and not a criminal probe. “There is no law enforcement agency questioning Prime Minister Browne.”
Pringle had argued that, in keeping with the precedent set when the Prime Minister urged Michael to step aside during his legal troubles, Browne should now do the same. Greene rejected that view, insisting that the circumstances are entirely different.
“In Asot Michael’s case, there was an actual criminal probe,” Greene said. “To compare that with a civil dispute where someone is accusing the Prime Minister in court filings is absurd. These are unproven claims by a private individual.”
The Foreign Minister also criticised the opposition for what he described as efforts to damage the country’s reputation abroad. Referring to recent Associated Press coverage of the case, Greene pointed out that the report had cited both Pringle and United Progressive Party Chairperson D. Gisele Isaac as sources.
“They cannot pretend their actions have no effect,” he said. “When you help to spread unverified allegations internationally, it tarnishes the name of Antigua and Barbuda and affects confidence in our Citizenship by Investment Programme.”
Greene said the government remains focused on defending the country’s interests and urged the opposition to act responsibly in its public commentary.
“This is not about political rivalry anymore,” he added. “It’s about national reputation.”
The Alfa Nero case remains before the United States courts, where proceedings have resumed following the lifting of a stay on subpoenas relating to financial disclosures.
