Merchant takes over Cabinet Spokesperson role from Max

Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office Maurice Merchant has now added a new role to his portfolio as Cabinet Spokesperson.

Merchant stepped in for the past few weeks for Chief of Staff Lionel Max Hurst after Hurst would have been hospitalized last month.

That move is now permanent.

Hurst confirmed the news while speaking on Pointe FM earlier this week.

“I yielded to Maurice Merchant. None of these jobs are permanent and I believe a younger voice and a younger face serves the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party and the Cabinet much better.

“I have so many other things that I am required to do so I have to share some of this burden with somebody else and Maurice Merchant is the perfect person for something like this. Clearly, he has been doing a marvellous job promoting the government of Antigua and Barbuda. So, this adds to his portfolio and I am happy to share this part of my responsibility,” Hurst said.

It is not the only change regarding Post Cabinet Press Briefings.

In person briefings, is set to return following years of reporters interacting via Skype and Zoom during covid. Prior to the Covid pandemic, the Post-Cabinet Press Briefing was held in the Conference Room of the Office of the Prime Minister.

Due to ongoing technical difficulties, a decision was made to return to in-person briefings, where journalists representing the various media houses will be required to be present in the briefing room.

The briefings will be held at 9am on Thursdays, as is customary, unless otherwise indicated.

The move to revert to this format will be effective Thursday June 26th at the Parliament Building.

To ensure a seamless production, journalists will be seated by 8:50am.