ALP chairman says Michael’s court victory changes nothing, since no one but the party can choose its candidates

On the heels of MP Asot Michael scoring another court victory, the Chairman of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP), Paul “Chet” Greene, has said it does not stop the party’s candidate of choice, Rawdon Turner, from running on its ticket in the upcoming general elections.

According to Greene, the legitimate representation of the ALP in the St. Peter constituency is “in no way affected” by the High Court’s decision, handed down on December 12.

The ALP chairman says that Turner remains the party’s candidate and enjoys the full support of the organization.

“While the decision of the court is fully respected, the reality is that the party has already taken all the necessary steps to handle the matter, concerning Mr. Asot Michael, in accordance with its internal arrangements,” Greene says.

He adds: “In this sense, events have overtaken the proceedings of the case, and Mr. Michael has won no victory and the ALP’s decision on its candidate cannot be overturned.”

Referring to Justice Jan Drysdale’s remarks on the lack of credibility displayed by ALP witness Lionel ‘Max” Hurst, Greene says Hurst’s perceived silence on certain issues was a result of the decision by his party’s executive not to contest Michael’s claim.

Greene says that no one, other than the ALP, can decide its candidates; hence, the country and the people of St. Peter can rest assured that Turner is the ALP’s valid candidate.