Swearing-In Error Forces Browne, Attorney General to Retake Oath

A procedural error during Friday’s official swearing-in ceremony forced Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin to retake their oaths, after it was discovered that an outdated version had been used.

Speaking on the “Browne and Browne Show” on Point FM Saturday night, Browne revealed that the initial oath administered at Government House referenced an old format tied to allegiance to the Crown.

“We were not properly sworn in on that basis,” Browne said, explaining that the error was identified after the ceremony.

The issue arose because the oath used did not reflect changes introduced under the Oaths Act 2025, which updated the wording to reflect allegiance to the state of Antigua and Barbuda rather than the monarchy.

Browne confirmed that both he and the Attorney General retook the oath in a corrected ceremony.

“I had to go back and do it again,” he said, noting that the error was administrative and promptly addressed.

The issue has been fully resolved and does not affect the legitimacy of the government.

Browne himself downplayed the incident, describing it as an administrative matter that was quickly fixed.