Prime Minister Gaston Browne called Eli Fuller “one bitter white old man” on Saturday as he attacked Fuller’s criticism of dredging at Crabbs and the development of Peace Beach in Antigua and Barbuda.

Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show, Browne accused Fuller of making misleading claims about environmental damage and dismissed his arguments as emotional rather than scientific.

“You’re nothing but a fool and … you’re one bitter white old man,” Browne said.

The remarks came during an extended defence of the dredging and beach development, with Browne arguing that the work supported shipping, coastal protection and the creation of marine habitats.

Browne rejected claims that the dredging at Crabbs had destroyed coral reefs, describing it as maintenance work in a channel previously dredged by the Americans decades ago.

“He’s either speaking from a position of utter ignorance or he’s just deceitful,” Browne said. “So this claim that, you know, we were digging up coral reefs and so on is totally untrue.”

He said the channel had been deepened to about 6.5 metres, with some sections reaching seven to eight metres. Further work would be needed to accommodate larger cement vessels and ships transporting liquefied natural gas, he said.

Browne linked the work to cement shortages, saying demand had grown and larger vessels needed a deeper channel to enter safely.

He said the Port Authority oversaw the dredging and consulted government agencies, including the Department of Environment, the Development Control Authority and fisheries officials.

According to Browne, an environmental impact statement was prepared rather than a full environmental impact assessment because the work involved a previously dredged area.

“Now, an environmental statement was done,” he said. “Because it’s an area that was dredged before, it didn’t require an EIA.”

Although he rejected descriptions of the area as pristine, Browne acknowledged that some nearshore sections contained seagrass.

Turning to Peace Beach at Barnacle Point, Browne said his son had paid more than $100,000 for consultancy work by environmental scientist Dr. Deborah Brosnan.

He said Brosnan and other scientists had designed artificial reef modules with spaces intended to shelter fish, lobsters and octopuses. The structures, he argued, would help protect the shoreline and increase marine life.

Browne acknowledged that the installation had affected some seagrass, estimating the area at about 300 square feet or less. He maintained that the habitat being created outweighed that impact.

He also disputed Fuller’s criticism concerning fish already being present in the area, saying the purpose of the reef was to provide additional shelter.

“Nobody disputed that,” Browne said of the presence of fish before the installation. “What we just created for them is a home.”

Browne accused Fuller of seeking social media attention rather than contributing practical solutions to the country’s development.

“All you’re trying to do is to get some kind of social media popularity, maybe to satisfy your ego,” he said.

He argued that Antigua and Barbuda needed people who could assess problems and develop options, rather than simply criticise.

“The country needs critical thinkers,” Browne said.

The prime minister also framed part of the dispute in racial terms, questioning whether critics objected to his family developing a beach while accepting similar work by white developers.

“So because my son is a little black man … black people can’t build a beach, but white people can build a beach,” he said.

Browne denied being prejudiced against white people and said no person should be regarded as superior because of race.

“We are not superior to anyone, but nobody’s superior to us. We’re all equal,” he said.

He said dredged material had been deposited at Barnacle Point because it was the closest suitable location for pumping it ashore. Using the material there, rather than disposing of it at sea, had saved money, he argued.

Browne said his family had spent money developing Peace Beach over three years and planned to bring in sand from Barbuda as work continued.

He maintained that public access would be preserved even if the surrounding land was developed.

“Even if the land is developed, access will be maintained for the public,” he said. “The beach itself, obviously, will be public and remain public.”

Browne also called for fishing restrictions around the artificial reef to allow the habitat and young fish to develop.

“We want to put a ban on any fishing in that particular area,” he said.

Later in the programme, Browne returned to his criticism of Fuller, suggesting that he pursue university education.

“Eli, rather than creating all that mischief, sign up to UWI and do something constructive with your life,” he said.

Browne rejected suggestions that his responses to critics amounted to suppressing public discussion, arguing that he was entitled to challenge statements he considered false.

“Now, if when you say things about us, they’re not true, why we can’t come and respond?” he asked.

Fuller’s response to Browne’s remarks was not included in the programme transcript.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: VIDEO: Eli Fuller is “One bitter white old man,” Prime Minister Gaston Browne says.