Asot Michael

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific_prefix = The Honourable

| name = Asot Michael

| native_name =

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| honorific-suffix =

| image =

| image_size =

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| order =

| office = Minister of Tourism, Economic Development Investment and Energy

| term_start = 12 June 2014

| term_end = 23 October 2017

| alongside =

| monarch =

| president =

| governor_general = Rodney Williams

| primeminister = Gaston Browne

| constituency = Saint Peter

| predecessor =

| successor =

| majority =

| prior_term =

| order2 =

| office2 = Minister of Investment and Trade

| term_start2 = 2 March 2018

| term_end2 = May 2020

| alongside2 =

| monarch2 =

| president2 =

| governor_general2 = Rodney Williams

| primeminister2 = Gaston Browne

| chancellor2 =

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| succeeding2 =

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| constituency2 = Saint Peter

| majority2 =

| prior_term2 =

| office1 = Member of Parliament

| constituency1 = Saint Peter

| termstart1 = 23 March 2004

| termend1 = 5 November 2024

| predecessor1 = Longford Jeremy

| successor1 = Rawdon Turner

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1969|12|21|df=y}}

| birth_place = Guadeloupe, France

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|11|5|1969|12|21|df=y}}

| death_place = Saint John, Antigua and Barbuda

| party = Independent

| otherparty = Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (expelled)

}}

Asot Anthony Emmanuel Michael{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHaAfWw5XgA |title=A TRIBUTE TO THE HON. ASOT A. MICHAEL (WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 18TH 2024) |date=2024-12-18 |last=ABSTV Antigua |access-date=2024-12-19 |via=YouTube}} (21 December 1969 – 5 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{{cite web |url=http://www.travelagentcentral.com/antigua-and-barbuda/antigua-and-barbuda-name-asot-michael-new-minister-tourism-46958 |title=Antigua and Barbuda Name Asot Michael New Minister of Tourism {{!}} Travel Agent Central |website=www.travelagentcentral.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006201106/http://www.travelagentcentral.com/antigua-and-barbuda/antigua-and-barbuda-name-asot-michael-new-minister-tourism-46958 |archive-date=6 October 2014}} under Prime Minister Gaston Browne. He had previously been a member of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Martina |date=25 June 2011 |title=MP Asot Michael trashes Procurement Bill |url=http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=60593 |accessdate=4 July 2011 |work=The Daily Observer}}

Early life and education

Asot Michael was born in Guadeloupe, French West Indies, on 21 December 1969,{{cite web |title=Asot A. Michael Manifesto |url=https://eadn-wc05-1285379.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Asot-Michael-Manifesto.pdf}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://asotmichael.com/biography/|title=Asot Michael's biography|accessdate=2 April 2020}}

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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.caribbeanelections.com/knowledge/biography/bios/michael_asot.asp |title=Asot Michael Biography |website=caribbeanelections.com}}

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.{{Cite web |url=https://caricom.org/antigua-and-barbuda-win-most-prestigious-awards-in-2016-caribbean-travel-awards/ |title=ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA WIN MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS IN 2016 CARIBBEAN TRAVEL AWARDS |website=caricom.org}}

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.{{cite news |title=PM promises to reinstate Asot Michael |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/pm-promises-to-reinstate-asot-michael/ |accessdate=2 April 2020 |newspaper=The Daily Observer}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Loan|first1=Joyce|date=24 October 2017|title=Asot Michael speaks out after London arrest|url=http://wicnews.com/caribbean/antigua-asot-michael-makes-first-comment-since-london-arrest-57437066/|accessdate=26 October 2017|work=WIC News}}

Michael was re-elected to parliament on March 21, 2018, receiving 78 percent of the votes. He was subsequently appointed Minister of Investment and Trade in the second consecutive government led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne.{{Cite web| url=http://www.caribbeanelections.com/knowledge/biography/bios/michael_asot.asp| title=Asot Anthony Michael Biography| website=caribbeanelections.com}} However, less than two months later, on 15 May 2018, he resigned from his position amid new allegations claiming that he demanded money, a car, and campaign financing from British tycoon Peter Virdee while serving as minister of energy in 2016.{{Cite web |last=Maverick.Derrick |date=2018-05-16 |title=Asot Resigns from Cabinet |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/asot-resigns-from-cabinet/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB}}

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 previously held by Michael, assigning the Ministry of Trade to E.P. Chet Greene and the Ministry of Investment to Charles “Max” Fernandez.{{Cite web |last=kderrick |date=2018-05-22 |title=Who gets Asot Michael's portfolios? |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/who-gets-asot-michaels-portfolios/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB}}

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 made tremendous contributions to the country. Prime Minister Browne stated also, "Unfortunately, [Michael] has a legal issue he has to dispense [with], and as soon as he is able to do so, we look forward to his return to the government to make his contribution."

However, tensions began to rise between the ABLP executive, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, and Michael.

In October 2021, the party's General Secretary, Mary-Claire Hurst, informed Michael that he was prohibited from attending future meetings. However, on 12 November 2021, Michael secured an interim injunction that temporarily prevented the party from restricting his attendance at executive meetings, taking any action to remove him from the ABLP, or obstructing him from performing his duties 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."{{Cite web |last=Michael |date=2021-12-11 |title=MP Asot Michael and ABLP continue to square off – this time over 'harassment' allegations |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/mp-asot-michael-and-ablp-continue-to-square-off-this-time-over-harassment-allegations/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB}} The High Court, presided over by Justice Drysdale, lifted the injunction on 16 December 2021 but allowing Michael to participate in meetings of the ABLP executive.{{Cite web |last=Michael |date=2021-12-18 |title=Asot Michael's injunction lifted, ABLP can now take action |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/asot-michaels-injunction-lifted-ablp-can-now-take-action/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB}} A request to strike out the entire injunction was rejected on 25 February 2022 by the High Court.{{Cite web |last=Michael |date=2022-02-26 |title=Court again rules in favour of Asot Michael |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/court-again-rules-in-favour-of-asot-michael/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB}}

In March, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party announced Rawdon Turner as its candidate for the constituency. However, Michael argued that this decision violated the ABLP's constitution. On 7 April, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court supported Michael's position by issuing an interim declaration stating that Turner had not been selected in accordance with the ABLP's rules.{{Cite web |last=Michael |date=2022-05-18 |title=Asot lives to fight another day, ABLP to focus on party affairs |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/asot-lives-to-fight-another-day-ablp-to-focus-on-party-affairs/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB}}

Nevertheless, Michael's name was notably missing at the ABLP party's convention on 10 July, during which 17 candidates were officially endorsed to run in the election. Instead, Rawdon Turner was presented as the party's candidate for St. Peter.{{Cite web |last=Michael |date=2022-08-11 |title=Asot Michael defiant after being excluded from proposed ABLP election slate |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/asot-michael-mp-defiant-after-being-excluded-from-proposed-ablp-election-slate/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB}}

In a decision issued on 12 December 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 Peter's constituency during the general election.{{Cite web |last=Simon |first=Samantha |date=2022-12-13 |title=Court strikes down ABLP disciplinary action against Asot Michael as unlawful |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/court-strikes-down-ablp-disciplinary-action-against-asot-michael-as-unlawful/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB}}

In the general elections held on January 23, 2023, Asot Michael secured his position by a margin of 2,137 votes. He successfully defeated ABLP candidate Rawdon Turner, who received 899 votes, United Progressive Party candidate Tevaughn Harriette with 541 votes, and Democratic National Alliance candidate Chaneil Imhoff, who garnered 29 votes. Notably, for the first time in Antigua's history, an independent candidate has been sworn in as a Member of Parliament.{{Cite web |last=Michael |date=2023-01-24 |title=MP Michael declares freedom from toeing party lines after successful independent bid |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/mp-michael-declares-freedom-from-toeing-party-lines-after-successful-independent-bid/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web | date=2023-01-19 |title=ABLP claims narrow victory at the polls - Antigua News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2023/01/19/ablp-claims-narrow-victory-at-the-polls/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |language=en-GB}} Antigua.news

The last two years of Michael's life were marked politically by episodes of bickering in parliament (even culminating in his controversial suspension by the House Speaker{{Cite web |last=Simon |first=Samantha |date=2023-05-22 |title=UPP Leadership condemns provocation of MP Michael and calls his suspension a 'fiction' |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/upp-leadership-condemns-provocation-of-mp-michael-and-calls-his-suspension-a-fiction/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB}}) to moments of rapprochement with the ABLP and Prime Minister Gaston Browne.{{Cite web |last=jennelsa.johnson |date=2024-09-16 |title=Independent MP Asot Michael supports Anti-Gang Bill, praises Government's courageous step in crime clamp-down |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/independent-mp-asot-michael-supports-anti-gang-bill-praises-governments-courageous-step-in-crime-clamp-down/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Bique-Charles |first=Shermain |date=2022-11-13 |title=Browne and Asot are friends again - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2022/11/12/browne-and-asot-are-friends-again/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |language=en-GB}}

Death

Around 8 am on Tuesday, 5 November 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 appeared 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.{{Cite web | date=2024-11-05 |title=BREAKING: Asot Michael Has Died - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/11/05/breaking-asot-michael-has-died/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-05 |title=Police Seek Public Assistance Following Murder of MP Asot Micheal - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/11/05/police-seek-public-assistance-following-murder-of-mp-asot-micheal/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=en-GB}} His death was treated as a possible homicide,{{Cite web |date=2024-11-05 |title=VIDEO: MP Asot Michael May Have Been Killed - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/11/05/video-mp-asot-michael-may-have-been-killed/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=en-GB}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/05/suspected-homicide-of-politician-sends-shockwaves-across-antigua-and-barbuda-asot-michael|title=Suspected homicide of politician shocks Antigua and Barbuda|work=The Guardian|date=5 November 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Henry |first=Robertson S. |date=6 November 2024 |title=Antigua lawmaker stabbed to death at home, police say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/antigua-lawmaker-found-dead-home-possible-homicide-local-media-reports-2024-11-05/ |access-date=6 November 2024 |website=Reuters}} with injuries indicating that he had been stabbed.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-05 |title=Regional and International Assistance to Help Solve Murder Case of MP Asot Michael - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/11/05/regional-and-international-assistance-to-help-solve-murder-case-of-mp-asot-michael/#google_vignette |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=en-GB}} A family insider stated that Michael was brutally attacked, with a piece of the weapon embedded in his body and his teeth knocked out, suggesting he was struck in the face, even though police have not revealed the motive for the crime.{{Cite web | date=2025-02-04 |title=Asot Michael's Killer to Appear in Court Tomorrow - Antigua News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2025/02/04/asot-michaels-killer-to-appear-in-court-tomorrow/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |language=en-GB}} Antigua.news Authorities requested regional and international assistance in resolving the circumstances of his death. Police sought public assistance also. On 7 November, 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.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=APPROVED: Scotland Yard to join investigation following murder of MP Asot Michael - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/11/07/approved-scotland-yard-to-join-investigation-following-murder-of-mp-asot-michael/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=en-GB}} Antigua.news FBI reportedly joined the investigations into murder of Michaerl also.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-06 |title=FBI Reportedly Joins Investigation into Murder of MP Asot Michael - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/11/06/fbi-reportedly-joins-investigation-into-murder-of-mp-asot-michael/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=en-GB}} A first suspect in Michael's murder was identified and announced by police on 5 Nov..{{Cite web |date=2024-11-05 |title=Suspect Identified as Investigations in Killing of MP Asot Micheal continues - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/11/05/suspect-identified-as-investigations-in-killing-of-mp-asot-micheal-continues/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=en-GB}} In the evening of 8 Nov., the police toke into custody and charged 26-year-old Alexta Francis, a Golden Grove resident, for Michael's murder.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-09 |title=ALEXTA FRANCIS CHARGED WITH THE ALLEGED MURDER OF MP ASOT MICHAEL - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/11/09/alexta-francis-charged-with-the-alleged-murder-of-mp-asot-michael/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Kentish |first=Anita |date=10 November 2024 |title=Police in Antigua charge a man with murder in the stabbing death of a politician |url=https://apnews.com/article/antigua-michael-parliament-stabbing-caribbean-crime-55b8580560f21663f5ef14b13b2de9d3 |access-date=11 November 2024 |website=Associated Press}} Francis appeared in court on 11 Nov. and was remanded to prison in a maximum security cell following an unusual early court session (at 6 am).{{Cite web |date=2024-11-11 |title=Man Charged for Killing Asot Micheal Remanded to Prison - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/11/11/man-charged-for-killing-asot-micheal-remanded-to-prison/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=en-GB}} Antigua.news{{Cite web |last=jennelsa.johnson |date=2024-11-12 |title=Asot Michael's accused killer in maximum security cell at HMP |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/asot-michaels-accused-killer-in-maximum-security-cell-at-hmp/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-21 |title=Forensic Pathologist in Antigua to conduct autopsy on body of Asot Michael - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/11/21/forensic-pathologist-in-antigua-to-conduct-autopsy-on-body-of-asot-michael/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=en-GB}}

Official funeral

On 7 November, the government, led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, decided to grant MP Asot Michael an official funeral,{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Asot Micheal will receive an official funeral - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/11/07/asot-micheal-will-receive-an-official-funeral/#google_vignette |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Kentish |first=Anita |date=8 November 2024 |title=A tiny island in the Caribbean seeks help from London after a politician is slain |url=https://apnews.com/article/antigua-politican-killed-asot-michael-ebc1c2a08ee2894ed9c41ee619da045f |access-date=8 November 2024 |website=Associated Press}} which took place on 18 December, at Holy Family Cathedral.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-19 |title=Nation bids farewell to Asot Michael - Antigua and Barbuda News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/12/19/nation-bids-farewell-to-asot-michael/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=en-GB}}