It is my duty to speak with you this evening about a development, which has attracted wide public attention over the last few days.

The matter of the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister's attendance at Cabinet meetings had been resolved before the action taken by the Minister of Works, Transport and the Environment on Friday, December 2.

By letter of October 20, 2005, which he handed directly to me on the same day, Mr. Boyke submitted his resignation from the service of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda with effect from November 30, 2005. (Attachment 1)

By separate letter of the same date, which he submitted at the same time, Mr. Boyke sought my approval to proceed on November 2 on vacation leave to which he was entitled.

Following our discussions and my request, Mr. Boyke agreed to forgo his leave and to continue working in the service of the Government to the end of November.

On my return from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on November 29 Mr. Boyke confirmed that he was scheduled to depart from Antigua on Friday December, 2, the day of the Minister of Works, Transport and the Environment's ultimatum to the Prime Minister and his walkout from the Cabinet meeting.

Mr. Boyke will return to Antigua during the course of this month to complete assignments that I have entrusted to him.

Accusations via various media and elsewhere against Mr. Boyke are unfounded and unfortunate.

While Opposition Party political attacks against Mr. Boyke are understandable, he has done nothing to deserve the vilification, the slander, the character assassination to which he has been unrelentingly subjected for sometime now.

Mr. Boyke's contribution to the UPP election campaign, starting from December 2002, was significant.

All supporters of the Party should know and appreciate this.

A measure of credit goes to Mr. Boyke for a number of the initiatives of the Sunshine Government that are of manifest benefit to the Antiguan and Barbudan people. Among them is the trilogy of legislation: The Integrity in Public Life, Anti-Corruption and Freedom of Information legislation.

Roy Boyke has served Antigua and Barbuda well, as advisor to the Prime Minister, and by definition, as advisor to the Cabinet.

He brought to this assignment, great political insight, extensive government and public service experience in several countries of the region, genuine wisdom and, very importantly, uncompromising objectivity.

In my interaction with senior Heads of CARICOM governments, I have encountered nothing but positive comments about and respect for this well-regarded CARICOM national.

I feel a sense of personal remorse at the injustice meted out to this honourable man, who was always counselor, never competitor, to any member of the Cabinet or the party.

I thank Roy Boyke for his service to Antigua and Barbuda and say to him, good will always triumph over evil.

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Attachment 1. Roy Boyke 12 Cedar Valley Springs Antigua

October 20, 2005

The Honourable Baldwin Spencer
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda

Dear Prime Minister,

I had not contemplated remaining in Antigua for any considerable period after the inauguration of the Sunshine Government. For reasons that I have discussed with you, I must now confirm my decision to conclude my engagement as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, with effect from November 30, 2005, and my intention to depart from Antigua immediately thereafter.

I leave with gratitude for the opportunity to have served the United Progressive Party and the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda in the critical stages leading to and during the transition to the new culture of governance that you have introduced.

Working with you has been its own reward, Prime Minister, and I affirm my enduring commitment to serving the UPP cause and the Sunshine Government in whatever manner may be practicable in the future.

Under your leadership, Prime Minister, Antigua and Barbuda deserves ultimately to be a better place.

Sincerely,

Roy Boyke