ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Jul 30 2015 – More than 100 members and supporters the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) picketed the office of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, yesterday, in an attempt to force the ruling administration to strip Attorney General Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin of all his ministerial portfolios.
Benjamin currently serves as the attorney general and minister of Public Safety, Labour and Immigration. The UPP wants him out of the way so that an independent inquiry could be held on an alleged immigrant smuggling ring involving Syrians and Cubans.
But Government’s Chief of Staff Lionel “Max” Hurst said the protestors were exercising their democratic right, just as the Antigua & Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) did prior to assuming office in 2014.
“We think that they are attempting to get some support for positions that are untenable. We asked them already to provide us with the evidence about the $2,000 then $10,000 that they said were paid to some official. We asked them for the evidence; they don’t have it because they made it up,” Hurst said.
As the protestors marched up and down the pavement outside the prime minister’s office on Queen Elizabeth Highway, they chanted “Cutie must go, de people say so; down with the Labour Party.”
Former Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer also supported the action led by his party.
Spencer said the opposition party is demanding answers to critical questions regarding the matter which was first brought to light by the UPP.
“Human Trafficking is a major issue and the implications that it has for our national security and things of this kind cannot be underestimated. All we are asking is that this matter be thoroughly investigated and let the chips fall where they may,” Spencer said.
He added that residents of Antigua & Barbuda deserve to know the facts about the scandal.
On, Tuesday, Benjamin volunteered to step down, temporarily, from the post of minister responsible for Immigration pending the outcome of an investigation.
But the opposition party wants him to relinquish his entire portfolio. (Antigua OBSERVER)
