Prime Minister Gaston Browne has issued a blunt response to the Antigua and Barbuda Bar Association after the organization condemned his threat to deport a sitting High Court judge and called for him to withdraw the remarks.
In a social media post, Browne described the association as “defunct” and rejected its request for an apology.
“Defunct ABBA — Here is my response to your request for an apology: Piss off,” Browne wrote.
The response follows a strongly worded statement from the Bar Association accusing the prime minister of threatening judicial independence and undermining the constitutional separation of powers.
The association had called on Browne to withdraw his threat and publicly affirm that immigration or other executive powers would not be used to influence, intimidate, punish or remove a judicial officer over decisions made in the lawful exercise of judicial duties.
The dispute arose from comments Browne made Sunday during a national security meeting while discussing gun violence and what he considers inadequate sentences being imposed on offenders.
Browne had singled out an unnamed judge and said that if the judge could not “follow the lead of parliament to give longer sentences,” the judge should leave the country voluntarily or face deportation and being made persona non grata.
The Bar Association said Tuesday that the comments constituted a “grave threat” to judicial independence and amounted to executive coercion, even if no attempt is ultimately made to remove the judge.
Browne’s latest response signals that he has no intention of withdrawing his comments or apologizing as requested by the association.
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