Immigration Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin has moved to distance Antigua from the controversial airport incident involving former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, insisting the country bears no responsibility for the detention.

“I have been informed by immigration authorities that no such thing came from immigration,” Benjamin stated to Observer Media.

The minister further emphasized Antigua’s neutral stance, telling the Trinidad Daily Express that “Antigua and Barbuda has no difficulty with Mr Rowley and would do nothing to prevent his free movement from Antigua to any other jurisdiction.”

Benjamin attributed the incident to routine processing delays rather than any deliberate action by local authorities, stating that “from my information, his processing was delayed.”

The controversy erupted after Rowley revealed during a Monday press conference at his private residence that he had been detained for questioning at V.C. Bird International Airport.

The former prime minister described the experience as humiliating, claiming he was flagged as a criminal suspect after his name allegedly appeared on an Interpol watch list while traveling to neighbouring Montserrat.

Adding to the confusion, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) issued a statement Monday denying any involvement in placing Rowley’s name on an Interpol watch list.