Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

After booted from HoA new Gov Jaspert to be sworn in August 22, 2017

- The colonial Governor arrives in the Virgin Islands on Monday August 21, 2017 & will take oath the next day!
New governor of the Virgin Islands Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert will be sworn in on August 22, 2017 at the VI Supreme Court in Road Town. Photo: Gov.UK
The Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), left, government led a resistant movement through the House Speaker Hon Ingrid A. Moses (right) with a series of letters to Government House and the Deputy Governor’s Office for the new governor to be sworn in at a different venue other than the House of Assembly as has been the tradition. Photo: VINO/File
The Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), left, government led a resistant movement through the House Speaker Hon Ingrid A. Moses (right) with a series of letters to Government House and the Deputy Governor’s Office for the new governor to be sworn in at a different venue other than the House of Assembly as has been the tradition. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The National Democratic Party was adamant that the new senior civil servant in the United Kingdom Foreign Service, who has been appointed as the new colonial Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI), will not be invited to the House of Assembly (HoA) to be sworn in.

The Majority government led a resistant movement through the House Speaker Hon Ingrid A. Moses with a series of letters to Government House and the Deputy Governor’s Office.

In the end, the Smith Administration got its way and Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert will not take the oath of office in the HoA.

He arrives on Monday and on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 there will be a Swearing-in and Welcome Ceremony at the VI Supreme Court, situated upstairs the HoA. The ceremony begins at 10:00 A.M. and will be broadcast live on local radio stations and online. It will also be live streamed on the Government’s Facebook page.

New Sheriff in Town!

Mr Jaspert succeeds former Governor John S. Duncan OBE, whose legacy is still being debated.

Speaking on his appointment as Governor of the British Overseas Territory of the VI, according to a Government Information Service Press Release, Governor Designate Jaspert stated that “it is an absolute honour to be appointed to succeed Governor Duncan”.

The Governor Designate is married to Millie Jaspert and has two sons, Tobias and Oscar. He joined central government in the United Kingdom in 2007 and has served in several capacities including the Private Secretary to the Prime Minister at No. 10 Downing Street.

His most recent post was in the Cabinet Office as the Director of Security and Intelligence, National Security Secretariat. He also served as the Head of Drugs and Alcohol and the Head of Policing for the Home Office, according to public information.

On the ground first week

The appointed Governor will spend his first few weeks in office meeting senior officials, department heads and members of the law enforcement agencies and the media. He will also visit the Sister Islands.

There are many in the political and chattering class who are skeptical about his mission in the VI and if he would now crack down on alleged government corruption, lack of transparency and lack of good governance.

Mr Augustus Jaspert aka 'Gus' will be the 13th unelected Governor of the Territory of the VI because of the colonial non independent status of the Territory.

43 Responses to “After booted from HoA new Gov Jaspert to be sworn in August 22, 2017”

  • Themsay (18/08/2017, 10:58) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yo dont break down yo house in storm when u dont have another to shelter.
  • white power (18/08/2017, 11:19) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ndp playing with fire mehson
  • vi (18/08/2017, 11:56) Like (44) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is wrong with the NDP? What is the reason for him not being sworn in at the HoA? Isn't that the norm? I am flabbergasted
    • ReadRead (18/08/2017, 15:19) Like (9) Dislike (22) Reply
      There is no rule in the Constitution or General Orders that says the Governor shall be sworn in the House of Assembly. Section 35(4) of the Constitution states: "A person appointed to the Office of Governor shall, before entering upon the functions of that Office, make Oaths or affirmations of allegiance and for the due execution of that office in the forms set out in Schedule 1." You see anything in that section that says he shall be sworn in the House of Assembly or that the Speaker must summons the members and convene a sitting of the House of Assembly for the members to attend such swearing in? People need to stop talking unless they have researched. He shall be sworn; he is being sworn at the Court House, that is it. He could have even be sworn down at Queen Elizabeth's Park. After all, it bears his Sovereign. He could take the oath at Government House or Noel Lloyd Park. The Venue is not an issue. The issue is that he take his oath and be sworn. Story done.
      • Outlaw (18/08/2017, 17:40) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
        @readread. And you are so right, the constitution does not state where the governor should take the oath, so if he wishes to do it in the HOA or wherever, no one should try to stop it. He can choose to be sworn in wherever he pleases.
  • belonger (18/08/2017, 12:10) Like (43) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please my local government treat the new Governor good, what you all have to hide. If you be hostle to him. The FCO can suspend the HoA and the Constitution and Mr. Jaspert can become our Premier, whether we like it or not. So pls stop being stupid Madam Speaker. The UK can take you out if they really means to.
  • Windy (18/08/2017, 12:35) Like (53) Dislike (8) Reply
    Obviously NDP doesn't want a working relationship with the new Gov. What a shame. Hope its not long before HOA is dissolved, investigated, locked up. God save the Queen. :-)
  • Free-for-all over (18/08/2017, 12:49) Like (39) Dislike (4) Reply
    Hahaha, very spiteful. Someone is nervous, has they should be. Hands in the cookie jar is about to come to an abrupt halt. Gus aint here for no holiday and sun tan(needed), be afraid Gov ministers, be very afraid.
  • Still Sleeping (18/08/2017, 13:02) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    They will pay for that bad decision.
    • Hmm (21/08/2017, 11:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      not just THEY.. WE all will and that's what is always forgotten its the people that will feel it
  • bobby joe (18/08/2017, 13:03) Like (6) Dislike (34) Reply
    I hope tat tis new governor don't get caught up in any ting does nt concern him
  • Political Observer (PO) (18/08/2017, 13:28) Like (46) Dislike (2) Reply
    What is the point of this storm in a tea cup? What difference does it make if he were sworn in, in the HOA on Tortola or in the Settlement in Anegada? It does not matter a wooden nickel. Where he is sworn in will not stop the pursuit of the/his mission. Practice good governance and all will be well. Stop the semantics and antics.
  • Tis Truth (18/08/2017, 14:17) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Absolutely P.O! Let "Freedom" reign also. Every body wants to govern it seeems!!
  • just asking... (18/08/2017, 14:33) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lock um up governor
  • kkk (18/08/2017, 14:49) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Look at that face
  • ETET (18/08/2017, 15:27) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    ET phone home to the UK FCO. He will phone home. Our people want to sing God Save the Gracious Queen some more why they making an issue out of where he is sworn in. Help our people with the highhandedness of the Oppressor.
  • ................ (18/08/2017, 16:00) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Welcome gus
  • Charley Rose (18/08/2017, 16:43) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's a sad day when leaders are playing with venomous snakes and cannot realize it until they are bitten. The British government has absolute sovereign power over the territory and it will be hypocritical not to acknowledge that. Unless the House of Assembly has any infrastructural problems, I think the swearing in of the new governor should be done there.
    At this stage of our development, it is the time to flex muscles with the new governor because he will be with us for the duration of his appointment. A bad initiation will remain with him. It is always good to welcome strangers because there might be an angel in the midst.
    • Just Curious (19/08/2017, 00:29) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      I must agree with you. It is my fervent view that the NDP position on refusing the elected Governor to be sworn in at the HoA is embarrassing and can only lead to a "tit for tat" situation. I don't think the NDP government really want to start off on the wrong foot with the new governor because I know that constitutionally he is packing an arsenal of powers and if he's ready to unleash some of that power, there will be a lot of persons in government who will get hurt. I believe that proper courtesy should have been shown to the elected governor on his arrival and start off on the "right" foot. I am wondering if the NDP have information that we are not privy to why this level of hostility has arisen? Guess "Gus" will finish what Duncan started so they are playing hard ball from the get go.
  • just wrong (18/08/2017, 16:55) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
    Is it at all possible the HOA is not in condition for this because of mold, sand, or mud ?
  • Jacperlance (18/08/2017, 17:34) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    The swearing in was supposed to take place at the HOA but because there was flooded they shifted it upstairs to the Supreme Court which is basically still the HOA building
    • Really (18/08/2017, 19:23) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
      So they know the future? The article says they wrote several letters, which means this was done before the disaster.
      • Jacperlance (19/08/2017, 06:16) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
        @really, they could have wrote whatever they want, they could not have stop the swearing in from taking place at the HOA. If it wasn't for the flood the ceremony would have been right there
  • Jack B (18/08/2017, 19:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    No one in the government speaks out against nothing this government does....must respect their tightness, all float or all sunk attitude...
  • Know the facts (18/08/2017, 22:28) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Re: Jacperlance. The floids have nothing to do with the decision taken. We are known to be more hospitable than this behaviour being demonstrated. A tradition that goes back 46 years is suddenly stopped for what reason? The other OT Governors are sworn in at their Houses of Assembly, so what is the problem here?
  • Local (19/08/2017, 08:27) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    As a people we need to read more amd a good place to start is the VI Constitution.
    • . (19/08/2017, 23:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      I guess that goes along with that ridiculous national anthem and national dress. The only national anthem I recognise is called "God Save The Queen," not anything concocted by the NDP.
      • Colonialism (21/08/2017, 17:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        You must be uneducated or very ignorant if the only thing you would recognize is an anthem that suggests only the queen should be saved.
  • Z+X(-Y)=? (19/08/2017, 11:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The lock that has our people bound in general and intellectual dysfunction is ignorance. The key to unlocking our great potential, as "Local" so poignantly pointed out is reading. But how does one entice an entire population, people and race to read? And not just read, but to read mind expanding literature?

    That journey begins first with people centrist minded individuals in all positions relative to education and second; the reconstruction, dissemination and didactic inculcation of a people mind develop curriculum.
  • Really?!! (19/08/2017, 14:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Premier your mental faculties r dwindling as a leader!! Stop the madness.....stop with these ridiculous decisions. I'm still pissed at u turning back a 400 member crew and vessel sent to the BVI for post storm cleanup.... They could have easily been dispatched to schools to prevent the delay of opening schools.....then guided to help with other areas. Now here u come with some other decision as far where your new governor should b sworn in.....??!!! So y don't u enlighten the public on the reasons for these decisions?!! We need to know!!! Bcuz your're beginning to show up on each public platform as "Incompetent"!!
  • Stopit!! (19/08/2017, 18:49) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    The new governor will be sworn in the HOA Building, upstairs, downstairs, it is still the House of Assembly. What is the big issue? Let us welcome Gus, show him we are a hard working people and that we will thwart any negative plans that some were hoping to unleash on us. We together, man, till the day of judgment.
  • Progress for humaanity (19/08/2017, 19:39) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Welcome Mr. Governor. Given the/our political realities, we are obliged to offer our humanistic welcome.

    Meanwhile, The signs of intellectual development since emancipation is note worthy. The political realities notwithstanding, on the hand, has much improving to be considered relative to the God given right and those set forth in Geneva conventions that each man, woman and child, country and nation have a right to self determination and to be ruled by its own piers.

    Many today, young, aging and old, have great intellectual and political concerns with their present political realities. For example, none in the Western hemisphere, Africa, Asia or other can be appointed to any political, never mind the highest paid position in any county, state or Provence in the UK. to make decisions for and on behalf of a people that are capable of making said decisions for themselves.

    The sacrifices our ancestors made upon the very strong shoulders that bore the burdens of inhumane oppression that have us living here in this present moment is a testimony to intestinal fortitude and brute strength have enabled us to move forward towards an amicable political settlement.

    We are a people of dignity and political pride, and each day those inalienable rights of freedom from the past are growing stronger and stronger.

    The hard work of past to present legislators to ensure academic, intellectual, economic and political development of a people must be continued by the entire elected body, though you were not elected by us, thus making that a non democratic event. Indeed, it acknowledge that that reasoning and frame of thinking is clearly understood.

    Meanwhile, all is looking forward to progressive and productive tenure.

    An additional diversion here, freedom of the press and the expression of ideas of the common people must never be subverted by journalistic or political practices.

    The media site, "BVI NEWS, COM." ,unfortunately, consistently engages in practices that are anti freedom of speech, anti journalistic freedom of thought and expression, and are otherwise apparently anti dogmatic expressions of truth which do not fit into its journalistic sensibilities.

    In essence, journalistic censorship is being practiced right here in Tortola, contrary to charters established in the Geneva conventions governing journalistic freedoms and human rights.

    Hence, Democracy is under attack right here in Tortola.

    Chances are, this will not be published or read by no one other than the author and the dictocrats at BVI NEWS. COM..

    But, it will will be published.

    People, sleep no more! wake up! be aware! Speak out!
  • John (19/08/2017, 19:59) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is Mr Jaspert being punished because Gov. Duncan exercised his constitutional right under article 103(b)? Mr Jaspert is an intelligence officer and a former head of policing, the hilarity of the decision by the NDP to band him from being sworn in at HOA will not be lost on him. That decision can only cause him to exercise his duties more zealously. If he does decide to investigate them, they will have no ground from which to beg for mercy.
  • Inside Scoop.. (20/08/2017, 08:04) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    thats all hype....alternate facts!!! - the man decided he didn't want to do the HOA!!!
    • L**s (20/08/2017, 09:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @InsideScopp. You telling lies. Pure lies. Accept the truth. Madam speaker and the members of the HOA refused to INVITE him or allow him to be sworn in at the House of Assembly. Petty decision to punish a new Governor because of what the old Governor did.
  • The Gov'nor (20/08/2017, 17:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    y'all sick, the man don't even reach yet, you done give him nickname. Almost piss my foot; cap fit. Lets see if him wear it. But seriously, that slave a&& mentality!!! If you ain't ready go somewhere go figure...stop blogging sh*t. Coward @&$ chickens.

  • vex (20/08/2017, 22:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the speaker being used by funny man and frazer because they mad with him, but he will have the last say
  • wize up (20/08/2017, 22:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea, white boy you investigate then you incarcerate!!!!!! You run things for the queen till she come
  • W*F (22/08/2017, 12:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This NDP government has no respect for God, Man or Country. They should be embarrassed by their behavior. NDP Government needs to be CENSORED.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.