Opposition MP Sherfield Bowen is rejecting the government’s assertion that Antigua and Barbuda has a low crime rate, calling the statement in the 2026 Throne Speech “not true” and “a lie.”

Speaking at the United Progressive Party’s response meeting, Bowen said the speech delivered by the Governor-General misrepresented the reality of public safety.

He argued that the country has been struggling with “many, many types of crimes,” including a rise in fraud cases and what he described as an alarming situation among young offenders.

Bowen, who appears regularly before the Child Justice Board and juvenile court in his work as an attorney, said what he sees there contradicts the administration’s claims.

He told supporters that juvenile matters have reached a troubling level, describing the atmosphere in those courts as “like carnival,” with serious offences being alleged against minors. He said those cases indicate “society is breaking down.”

Bowen accused the government of painting an inaccurate picture for political convenience. He said the public should not be told that “there is nothing happening in crime,” insisting that the situation is far more serious than the Throne Speech suggests.

The MP tied the issue to what he described as broader concerns about the lack of transparency in the government’s messaging. He said misstatements on crime compound what he views as misleading claims about the economy, governance and public services in the annual address.

Bowen said the government must confront the country’s crime challenges honestly and develop clear policies to address youth offending and other emerging threats.