The People’s Union has launched a blistering response to Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s criticism of employees at the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy, calling both Browne and ONDCP Director Colonel Edward Croft “liars.”

“Firstly, the Prime Minister and Edward Croft are both liars!” the union declared in a statement issued on Sunday.

“The People’s Union does not make that statement lightly. It is based on the glaring contradictions between what has been represented publicly and the facts surrounding the ONDCP employees’ long-standing health, safety and working-condition concerns.”

The response followed comments made by Browne during Saturday’s Browne and Browne Show, during which he accused some ONDCP employees of refusing to perform their duties despite renovations and medical testing.

The Prime Minister also threatened to close the agency and transfer its responsibilities to a specialised unit within the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda if the situation continues.

However, the union insists the dispute stretches back more than eight years and involves longstanding concerns about mould, ventilation, air quality and moisture inside the ONDCP building.
According to the statement, employees reported respiratory problems, fatigue and skin rashes which they associated with the workplace environment.

The union said Chief Government Chemist Dr Linroy Christian assessed the building in August 2025 and identified immediate and long-term concerns.

It claimed the employees took industrial action in February 2026 after repeated attempts to obtain an update from Croft were unsuccessful.

A meeting was subsequently held in the presence of the Deputy Labour Commissioner, during which the parties reportedly agreed that employees should undergo medical testing because of the length of their exposure to the building.

The union said further inspections found mould growing beneath chairs and desks, while a rat infestation had created an additional health concern.

It also rejected claims that the necessary renovations and medical testing had been completed, maintaining that leaks, musty smells and unfinished work remained after renovations were carried out in July.
According to the union, the testing process was divided into three phases, but the final stage remains outstanding.

Employees reportedly returned to the workplace under an arrangement requiring them to work from 8 a.m. to noon until the testing was completed.

“The Union has never agreed that employees would simply return to normal working conditions while outstanding medical testing remained incomplete,” the statement said.

The union also questioned the basis on which Browne publicly declared that the employees had been medically cleared, noting that some workers had not received all their results.

It called on the Prime Minister and the ONDCP director to produce the reports, agreements, medical-testing records and evidence supporting their claims.

The union said employees would not return to full working hours until the final phase of medical testing is completed and the Chief Medical Officer issues a proper report.

Despite the escalating war of words, the People’s Union said it remains willing to meet with the Government and ONDCP management to resolve the dispute.