PM Harris tells Antigua counterpart it will be “a declaration of war” if one of his ministers speaks at an opposition event in St Kitts
St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Timothy Harris threatened the Hon. Michael Browne, Minister of Education, Science and Technology for Antigua and Barbuda- and by extension the government of Antigua and Barbuda- with unprecedented backlash, if Browne spoke at the launch of St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party candidate for constituency, Leon Natta Nelson, on Saturday evening, June 22.
The bombshell revelation was made by Minister Browne himself, as he addressed the crowd at the launch, which is also Prime Minister Harris’ constituency.
Browne said his visit to participate in the Labour Party candidate’s launch was deemed as a ‘declaration of war’ by Prime Minister Harris and the St. Kitts and Nevis went on to say Browne’s safety cannot be guaranteed and he may not be able to come back to St. Kitts and Nevis, as per statements made by Prime Minister Harris to Browne’s leader, Hon. Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda.
“The prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis called my Prime Minister and he expressed abhorrence that I am coming to St Kitts to speak at this function…the charge was that my presence here – me coming here to speak – ‘is a declaration of war’. There was a boomeranging of thoughts in my mind all morning, while I was on the Strip having breakfast, while I was working the phones including with the good efforts of your comrade leader (Rt Hon Dr Denzil L Douglas), and these were some of the concerns that troubled me coming from a democratic perspective. If Michael Browne speaks, not only will it be a demonstration of a ‘declaration of war,’ but ‘we will not be able to guarantee his safety. If he speaks, not only will we be able to guarantee his safety, but he may not be able to come back to St Kitts,” the Antiguan Minister Browne revealed.
The move by Prime Minister Harris seemingly corroborates allegations of attempts to stiff-arm anyone who advocates for different opinions to his.
Some are even suggesting that St. Kitts and Nevis’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs should issue a formal apology to the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda for the indecent comments.
Minister Browne’s disclosure initially shocked the audience but ultimately inspired unparalleled support from the crowd attending the launch.
He, however stopped short of disclosing what his Prime Minister – Hon. Gaston Browne- advised.
There has been no response from St. Kitts and Nevis’ government in relation to the Antigua and Barbuda Minister’s claims.
St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Timothy Harris threatened the Hon. Michael Browne, Minister of Education, Science and Technology for Antigua and Barbuda- and by extension the government of Antigua and Barbuda- with unprecedented backlash, if Browne spoke at the launch of St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party candidate for constituency, Leon Natta Nelson, on Saturday evening, June 22.
The bombshell revelation was made by Minister Browne himself, as he addressed the crowd at the launch, which is also Prime Minister Harris’ constituency.
Browne said his visit to participate in the Labour Party candidate’s launch was deemed as a ‘declaration of war’ by Prime Minister Harris and the St. Kitts and Nevis went on to say Browne’s safety cannot be guaranteed and he may not be able to come back to St. Kitts and Nevis, as per statements made by Prime Minister Harris to Browne’s leader, Hon. Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda.
The move by Prime Minister Harris seemingly corroborates allegations of attempts to stiff-arm anyone who advocates for different opinions to his.
Some are even suggesting that St. Kitts and Nevis’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs should issue a formal apology to the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda for the indecent comments.
Minister Browne’s disclosure initially shocked the audience but ultimately inspired unparalleled support from the crowd attending the launch.
Saturday night’s official launch of Leon Natta Nelson signified a complete slate of candidates- eight – for the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party for elections that are constitutionally due by early next year.
There has been no response from government in relation to the Antigua and Barbuda Minister’s claims.