Antigua’s Security Minister calls for review of death penalty

Antigua and Barbuda’s National Security Minister Errol Cort has called for his Government to review its stance on the death penalty in the face of an upsurge of crimes in the twin-island nation.



During a debate on crime in the Antiguan parliament yesterday, the national security minister said the government needs to look at the death penalty as an option to address the country’s crime problem.



Mr Cort also suggested that the Baldwin Spencer administration look at ways in which it can bypass Privy Council rulings, which would allow Antigua to execute criminals.



Although the death penalty is on the books in Antigua and Barbuda it has been nearly two decades since the last state execution.