Bomb threats at Michael’s home and business, as well as fire at Nicholas’ branch office bring out Police and Fire Dept officials

This election cycle continues to be marred by hatred and destruction, with Asot Michael, independent candidate for St. Peter being the latest victim.

According to reports, Michael’s Dry Hill home and his business place on High Street were the targets of bomb threats on Sunday night, January 15, with the Police, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and Fire Service converging on the scene just before 10:30 p.m.

Michael reports that this incident occurred at the end of another day of “hard campaigning.” It also followed his outing on a social-media programme, on Saturday night, January 14, when he made certain revelations about Labour Party opponent Rawdon Turner and Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

Preceding these threats were reports of drones flying over the independent candidate’s home less than a week ago, at a time when almost 80 of his campaign workers were executing duties.

Meanwhile, Michael reportedly has requested that the threatening calls made to his cell number be traced.  It is also alleged that he went even further and reached out to Attorney-General Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin, the mnister responsible for justice and national security.

Allegedly, Benjamin assured him that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) would conduct an immediate investigation. 

Michael has since called on Commissioner of Police Atlee Rodney to provide security measures for his life, family and many campaign workers. 

In the meantime, Michael is assuring the public that his mission of representing “the good people of St. Peter will not be derailed.”

In another matter, the Police and the Fire Department are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fire at the St. John’s City East constituency office of Labour Party candidate Melford Nicholas,

Reports say the blaze started at around 3:30 a.m. Monday morning,

hours after Nicholas had completed a strategy meeting with his campaign team.

However, while Nicholas is describing it as political violence, some members of the public say this fire is straight out of the Antigua Labour Party’s playbook.

Nicholas is said to be unpopular in the constituency this time around, and one resident believes he is looking for sympathy.  Accordingly, the man says he does not put it past the Labour Party to destroy their own building just to get votes.