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Asot Anthony Emmanuel Michael (21 December 1969 – 4 November 2024) was an Antiguan politician who was a member of the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, elected from Saint Peter Constituency. He was also the Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy under Prime Minister Gaston Browne. He had previously been a member of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party.

Early life and education

Asot Michael was born in Guadeloupe, French West Indies, on 21 December 1969, in an Antiguan family. His grandfather Asot A. Michael and his father Patrick Michael were business people supporting the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party. He attended St. Joseph's Academy in Antigua from 1982 to 1986 for his secondary education. Michael obtained a BS in business administration from Barry University (Miami Shores, Florida) in 1989, and an MBA from the University of Miami in 1991.

After completing his studies, Michael returned to Antigua to work at Asot's Arcade, a family business named for his late grandfather.

Political career

In 1995, Michael began his first job in government as the Special Administrative Assistant to then-Prime Minister Lester Bird, and was eventually appointed Bird's Chief of Staff in 1997. After that, Michael was appointed a Government Senator in 1999 as well as Minister of State in the office of the Prime Minister, overseeing responsibilities for Public Works, Communications, Insurance, Energy and St. John's Development Corporation. He continued in the role until 2001, when he became a full minister responsible for these portfolios until 2003. He was also appointed Junior Minister of Finance in 2001, and served in the position until 2003. From 1999 to 2003, Michael served as Leader of Government Business in the Senate.

Michael was first elected to the House of Representatives for the constituency of Saint Peter in 2004. He belonged to the Antigua Labour Party during his elections of 2004 and 2009, until the party transitioned to the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party when he was re-elected in 2014 and 2018.

In 2016, the Caribbean Journal awarded Michael the Best Tourism Minister Award for the entire Caribbean.

On 23 October 2017, he was detained at Heathrow Airport while in transit to a citizenship by investment conference in France, being accused of having requested bribes from a British investor in 2016. While being interviewed by U.K. authorities, Prime Minister Gaston Browne removed him as Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy despite Michael denying any wrongdoing and stating the original detention was for the purpose of an interview with the police.

Michael was reelected to parliament on March 21, 2018 and appointed Minister of Investment and Trade in the second consecutive government led by the Prime Minister Gaston Browne garnering 78 percent of votes. However, he resigned from his position in the government less than two months later on May 15, 2018, amid new allegations that he demanded money, a car, and campaign finance from the British tycoon Peter Virdee while he was the minister of energy in 2016.

Michael, in a statement to the media said, “I emphasize that I am not a party to the court proceedings in the United Kingdom which have been reported in the media, nor have I been charged with any wrongdoing. The media reports refer to recordings of conversations between persons other than myself, and I cannot be held responsible for their utterances.”.

Gaston Browne redistributed the two portfolios held by Michael assigning the Ministry of Trade to E.P. Chet Greene and the Ministry of Investment to Charles “Max” Fernandez.

In may 2019, Browne admitted in a public statement that Asot Michael has been a great asset to the government and the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) and that he had even made tremendous contributions to the country. The Prime Minister Browne stated also, "Unfortunately, has a legal issue he has to dispense , and as soon as he is able to do so, we look forward to his return to the government to make his contribution."

However, the dynamics between the executive of the ABLP, the Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Michael started to become strained.

In October 2021, the party's General Secretary, Mary-Claire Hurst, communicated to Michael that he was prohibited from participating in future meetings. Nevertheless, in November 12, 2021, Michael obtained an interim injunction that temporarily prevented the party from restricting his attendance at executive meetings, from taking any action towards removing him from ABLP, and any attempts to block him from functioning as the duly elected representative for St Peter. In response to Michael's allegations, the government issued a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister asserting that it is Asot Michael’s "usual practice, whenever his conduct comes to light, to portray himself as a victim and to make unfounded and malicious accusations against others, aiming to divert attention from his purported misconduct." The High Court, presided over by Justice Drysdale, lifted the injunction on December 16, 2021 but allowing Michael to participate in meetings of the ABLP executive. A request to strike out the entire injunction was rejected on February 25, 2022 by the High Court.

In March, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party declared Rawdon Turner as its candidate for the constituency. However, Michael contended that this decision was inconsistent with the ABLP's constitution. The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court upheld Michael's position on April 7, issuing an interim declaration that Turner had not been chosen in compliance with ABLP’s rules.

Nevertheless, at the ABLP party's convention on July 10, during which 17 candidates were officially endorsed to run in the election, Michael's name was notably missing. Instead, Rawdon Turner was presented as the party's candidate for St. Peter.

In a decision issued on December 12, 2022, the High Court of Antigua and Barbuda has nullified the efforts made by ABLP’s Executive to impose disciplinary measures against Michael, which were intended to prevent him from running as a candidate for the ABLP in the St Peters constituency during the general election.

In the general elections held on January 23, 2023 Asot Michael secured his position by a margin of 2,137 votes, successfully overcoming ABLP candidate Rawdon Turner, who garnered 899 votes, United Progressive Party candidate Tevaughn Harriette with 541 votes, and Democratic National Alliance candidate Chaneil Imhoff, who received 29 votes. Michael created history: for the first time in Antigua an independent candidate has been sworn in as a Member of Parliament.

This section needs expansion with: needs info on his work as Minister of Investment and Trade till 2020 and becoming an independent MP. You can help by adding to it. (January 2023)

Death

Around 8 am on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 the police responded to a report, where the body of Michael was found unresponsive in a pool of blood at his home at Dry Hill in Saint John, Antigua and Barbuda. He was found with what appearead to be multiple puncture wounds about his body. Michael was pronounced dead at 10:10 am, aged 54, by a medical doctor who arrived at the scene.. His death was treated as a possible homicide, with injuries indicating that he had been stabbed. Authorities requested regional and international assistance in resolving the circumstances of his death. Police sought public assistance also. On November 7, Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin announced the authorization of Cabinet to reach out to the UK government for a Scotland Yard team to come to St. John’s and assist local law enforcement. FBI reportedly joined the investigations into murder of Michaerl also. A first suspect in Michael's murder was identified and announced by police on Nov. 5. In the evening of Nov. 8, the police toke into custody and charged 26-year-old Alexta Francis, a Golden Grove resident, for Michael’s murder. Francis appeard in court on Nov. 11 and was remanded to prison following an unusual early court session (at 6 am). On 21 November 2024 the government has confirmed that a forensic pathologist from Canada, Dr. Alfredo Walker, has been commissioned to undertake in Antigua the autopsy on the body of Asot Michael.

Official funeral

On November 7, the government, led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, decided to grant MP Asot Michael an official funeral, which toke place on December 18, at Holy Family Cathedral.

References

1. ABSTV Antigua (18 December 2024). A TRIBUTE TO THE HON. ASOT A. MICHAEL (WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 18TH 2024). Retrieved 19 December 2024 – via YouTube.
2. "Antigua and Barbuda Name Asot Michael New Minister of Tourism | Travel Agent Central". www.travelagentcentral.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
3. Johnson, Martina (25 June 2011). "MP Asot Michael trashes Procurement Bill". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
4. "Asot A. Michael Manifesto" (PDF).
5. "Asot Michael's biography". Retrieved 2 April 2020.
6. ^ "Asot Michael Biography". caribbeanelections.com.
7. "ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA WIN MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS IN 2016 CARIBBEAN TRAVEL AWARDS". caricom.org.
8. ^ "PM promises to reinstate Asot Michael". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
9. Loan, Joyce (24 October 2017). "Asot Michael speaks out after London arrest". WIC News. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
10. "Asot Anthony Michael Biography". caribbeanelections.com.
11. ^ Maverick.Derrick (16 May 2018). "Asot Resigns from Cabinet". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
12. kderrick (22 May 2018). "Who gets Asot Michael's portfolios?". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
13. Michael (11 December 2021). "MP Asot Michael and ABLP continue to square off – this time over 'harassment' allegations". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
14. Michael (18 December 2021). "Asot Michael's injunction lifted, ABLP can now take action". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
15. Michael (26 February 2022). "Court again rules in favour of Asot Michael". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
16. Michael (18 May 2022). "Asot lives to fight another day, ABLP to focus on party affairs". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
17. Michael (11 August 2022). "Asot Michael defiant after being excluded from proposed ABLP election slate". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
18. Simon, Samantha (13 December 2022). "Court strikes down ABLP disciplinary action against Asot Michael as unlawful". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
19. Michael (24 January 2023). "MP Michael declares freedom from toeing party lines after successful independent bid". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
20. ^ Staff, Editorial (5 November 2024). "BREAKING: Asot Michael Has Died - Antigua and Barbuda News !". Retrieved 1 January 2025.
21. ^ Staff, Editorial (5 November 2024). "Police Seek Public Assistance Following Murder of MP Asot Micheal - Antigua and Barbuda News !". Retrieved 1 January 2025.
22. ^ Staff, Editorial (5 November 2024). "VIDEO: MP Asot Michael May Have Been Killed - Antigua and Barbuda News !". Retrieved 1 January 2025.
23. "Suspected homicide of politician shocks Antigua and Barbuda". The Guardian. 5 November 2025.
24. Henry, Robertson S. (6 November 2024). "Antigua lawmaker stabbed to death at home, police say". Reuters. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
25. ^ Staff, Editorial (5 November 2024). "Regional and International Assistance to Help Solve Murder Case of MP Asot Michael - Antigua and Barbuda News !". Retrieved 1 January 2025.
26. Staff, Editorial (7 November 2024). "APPROVED: Scotland Yard to join investigation following murder of MP Asot Michael - Antigua and Barbuda News !". Retrieved 1 January 2025.
27. Staff, Editorial (6 November 2024). "FBI Reportedly Joins Investigation into Murder of MP Asot Michael - Antigua and Barbuda News !". Retrieved 1 January 2025.
28. Staff, Editorial (5 November 2024). "Suspect Identified as Investigations in Killing of MP Asot Micheal continues - Antigua and Barbuda News !". Retrieved 1 January 2025.
29. Staff, Editorial (9 November 2024). "ALEXTA FRANCIS CHARGED WITH THE ALLEGED MURDER OF MP ASOT MICHAEL - Antigua and Barbuda News !". Retrieved 1 January 2025.
30. Kentish, Anita (10 November 2024). "Police in Antigua charge a man with murder in the stabbing death of a politician". Associated Press. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
31. Staff, Editorial (11 November 2024). "Man Charged for Killing Asot Micheal Remanded to Prison - Antigua and Barbuda News !". Retrieved 1 January 2025.
32. Staff, Editorial (21 November 2024). "Forensic Pathologist in Antigua to conduct autopsy on body of Asot Michael - Antigua and Barbuda News !". Retrieved 1 January 2025.
33. Staff, Editorial (7 November 2024). "Asot Micheal will receive an official funeral - Antigua and Barbuda News !". Retrieved 1 January 2025.
34. Kentish, Anita (8 November 2024). "A tiny island in the Caribbean seeks help from London after a politician is slain". Associated Press. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
35. Staff, Editorial (19 December 2024). "Nation bids farewell to Asot Michael - Antigua and Barbuda News !". Retrieved 1 January 2025.

• 1969 births
• 2024 deaths
• Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party politicians
• Antigua and Barbuda businesspeople
• Government ministers of Antigua and Barbuda
• Tourism ministers of Antigua and Barbuda
• Energy ministers of Antigua and Barbuda
• Members of the House of Representatives (Antigua and Barbuda)
• Barry University alumni
• University of Miami Business School alumni
• Antigua and Barbuda people of British descent
• Members of the 16th legislature of Antigua and Barbuda
• Members of the 15th legislature of Antigua and Barbuda
• Members of the 14th legislature of Antigua and Barbuda