STUART STRIPPED OF DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT

Former PM levels claims of political victimization after Govt revokes his VIP travel privileges 

Former prime minister Stuart Young says the Government has moved to have his diplomatic passport returned, marking what he describes as the latest attempt to strip him of benefits afforded to former prime ministers. However, Guardian Media understands Young still has possession of the passport after requesting that the Government make the demand formally in writing.

In a video statement posted to social media yesterday, Young revealed that he received an unexpected call instructing him to surrender the diplomatic passport issued to him after he demitted office. Young argued that the latest development formed part of a wider pattern of political victimization by the Government. “I received a call out of the blue,” Young said. “As a former prime minister, you get a diplomatic passport. It was given to me on the second of May last year. I didn’t ask for it. Get a call out of the blue: return the passport.” Young did not identify who contacted him or whether any legal basis was provided for the request. He indicated, however, that he does not intend to simply comply without due process.

“I will deal with that. I will deal with that in accordance with the law at the appropriate time,” he said. Guardian Media contacted MP Young last evening however, he said he was not prepared to say more at this time. The development comes less than a year after the United National Congress Government successfully amended legislation to prevent Young from receiving the retirement gratuity and pension that would otherwise have been payable to a former prime minister. The amendments followed criticism over Young’s 42-day tenure as prime minister before the April 2025 General Election.