United Progressive Party (UPP) Senator Jonathan Wehner has publicly responded to comments made by Prime Minister Gaston Browne during his weekend radio programme, saying he will not be drawn into what he described as “juvenile discourse” despite the remarks directed at him.

I heard this dude right at the top of his voice making a whole heap of noise, the same Jonathan, I mean, totally agitated. Arrogant…Even Comrade Washie sounded more manly than him.” PM Browne said on his radio station this weekend.

Comrade Washie is a well-known and popular member of the LGBTQ community.

But in a statement issued on Monday, Wehner thanked supporters from across Antigua and Barbuda for the outpouring of encouragement he received following the Prime Minister’s comments.

“I want to publicly express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to my relatives, church family, UPP family, youth parliament colleagues, friends, supporters, well-wishers and all citizens and residents of our beloved Antigua and Barbuda who called, texted or commented on social media to offer their support and encouragement,” Wehner wrote.

The young opposition senator was responding after Prime Minister Browne reportedly used his Browne and Browne radio programme to criticize him in strongly worded remarks. Browne questioned Wehner’s political maturity and accused the opposition senator of seeking public attention through what he characterized as political theatrics.

The Prime Minister also reportedly dismissed Wehner’s recent public statements and suggested the senator lacked the experience necessary for national leadership.

However, Wehner said the issue went beyond politics and raised concerns about the tone of public discourse coming from national leaders.

“It is unfortunate that our leaders continue to lower the bar of our political and national discourse by engaging themselves in frivolous and disgraceful comments which debase the high office they hold,” he said.

Wehner added that he would not respond in kind to the Prime Minister’s remarks.

“I will not degrade the Christianity I profess or the public office I hold by participating in the ‘tit for tat’ melee of disgracefully juvenile discourse often spewed by our leaders,” he stated.

The senator also said he would not seek an apology from Browne, arguing that the Prime Minister’s conduct over the years speaks for itself.

“Nor will I waste any time asking for an apology that I know will never come, especially when the Prime Minister has consistently shown the nation this is who he is throughout his 12 years in office,” Wehner added.

Instead, the opposition senator used the opportunity to challenge the public to reflect on the type of leadership they want for the country.

“Is this the behavior we find desirous in our nation’s leaders? Is this the behavior you want your children to emulate?” he asked.

Wehner urged citizens not to remain silent when public officials engage in conduct that undermines the dignity of elected office.

“Let us never condone or be silently complicit when those who occupy the high office we, the people, elected them to debase that office through their unbecoming behavior,” he said.

The exchange has since sparked debate on social media, with supporters from both political parties weighing in on the tone of political debate in Antigua and Barbuda.