St. John’s Antigua: News reporter Percival Simon has reportedly been banned from ZDK and SUN FM for supporting Gaston Browne for leader of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP).
Browne’s bid for the leadership of the party has created upheaval at the opposition-backed radio stations and Simon spoke to OBSERVER Media, revealing the contents of an internal memo circulated at ZDK.
He said the memo was not directed to him but was leaked by a sympathetic employee.
“It reads, ‘as of today Percy Simon will no longer be allowed to go on air on either radio station until further notice. The reason for this is he is openly campaigning against the Hon Lester Bryant Bird, who is a shareholder in this company and for this reason, he is banned’,” Simon said.
Simon admits to supporting Browne but said he never used his position while speaking on air to campaign for him.
“From day one, they know that I always support Gaston Browne,” he said.
“But what I have always said – and I did that on Tuesday night when I was there – is that if the Labour Party is a democracy anybody should be free to challenge for the leadership,” Simon said.
There are also reports that Browne’s speech putting forward his candidacy will not be aired on ZDK. The Bird family-affiliated radio station is understood to be making all efforts to support Lester Bird in his bid to retain political leadership of the party.
Several unanswered calls were made to managing director at ZDK, Ivor Bird, Lester’s brother.
Browne issued a release to the press yesterday stating the St John’s City West constituency branch had nominated him for the leadership of the party.
“It is with humility and a sense of pride that I accept the nomination with a commitment to serve and empower all citizens and residents of our beautiful twin island state,” it read.
Browne’s release spoke about his poor upbringing in both Gray’s Farm and Point, while living with his single, at times unemployed mother .
“Like many of our brothers and sisters in these deprived areas, born and reared under deprived circumstances, I had to face many challenging hardships,” he said. “This means that I am familiar with the struggles of the poor and vulnerable. I have lived those struggles and my heart has always empathised with their sufferings, which, in some instances, resulted in anti-social and lawless behaviours.”
The ALP chairman said that under his leadership an ALP government will deliver a united, prosperous, safe and secured country; good governance; socio-economic advancement for all; and the modernisation of the public and private sectors.
Browne took the opportunity to solicit the support and goodwill of all Antiguans and Barbudans, and the delegates in the upcoming November 25, convention.
“I pledge to you, that with your support, hard work and prayers, our efforts will result in sure success at the 2014 general elections,” he said, “and will redound to the birth of a new, inspired and prosperous future for all. “
Browne has been building support for his bid for ALP leadership among the senior ALP officials. His nomination was seconded by his colleague in parliament, Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin, and MP Asot Michael, who Browne said supports him “100 percent,” aided in the dissemination of Browne’s press release.
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