After much discussion on Wednesday, the Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, decided to grant MP Asot Michael an official funeral, who was murdered a few days ago.

In February last year, for the first time in Antigua’s history, Micheal was sworn in as an independent member of Parliament

It was a rocky road for Michael at the time. He was essentially booted from the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) despite his many claims that he was still a member.

It stemmed from a then-public dispute with Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who, throughout the months leading up to the January 18 general elections, shockingly left the long-serving ABLP member off of his slate, replacing him with newcomer Rawdon Turner.

Michael faced numerous legal challenges, but despite the unfavorable media coverage, he successfully reclaimed his position in St. Peter, winning by a significant margin and becoming the first independent candidate in Antigua to secure a seat.

He dedicated this victory to the people of St. Peter.

In 1995, Michael started his governmental career as a Special Administrative Assistant to then-Prime Minister Lester Bird, later rising to the role of Bird’s Chief of Staff in 1997.

In 1999, he was appointed as a Government Senator and became the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office, where he managed areas such as Public Works, Communications, Insurance, Energy, and the St. John’s Development Corporation.

He held this position until 2001, when he was promoted to a full minister overseeing these responsibilities until 2003. Additionally, he served as Junior Minister of Finance from 2001 to 2003 and was the Leader of Government Business in the Senate from 1999 to 2003.

 Michael was first elected to the House of Representatives for the Saint Peter constituency in 2004.

He was part of the Antigua Labour Party during his elections in 2004 and 2009, and after the party evolved into the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, he was re-elected in 2014 and 2018.

In 2016, Michael received the Best Tourism Minister Award for the Caribbean from the Caribbean Journal.