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'Bullying & victimisation' more prevalent now than before - Hon Penn claims

-Tells media: 'It's already reached Members of the House of Assembly!'
Opposition leader Hon. Marlon A. Penn (R8) has accused the current administration of engaging in victimisation, nepotism and cronyism. Photo: JTV
Premier Andrew A. Fahie could not be reached for comments regarding the new accusation, however, at the Thursday, November 14, 2019, Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) he called the first accusation 'hypocrisy' regarding claims of nepotism and cronyism. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie could not be reached for comments regarding the new accusation, however, at the Thursday, November 14, 2019, Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) he called the first accusation 'hypocrisy' regarding claims of nepotism and cronyism. Photo: VINO/File
With a now weakened opposition, short of Hon Alvera Madura-Caines (R6)—who bolted from the National Democratic Party (NDP) to join up with the VIP Government—Hon Marlon A. Penn and the other opposition members raised a number if concerns over the current government. Photo: Facebook/File
With a now weakened opposition, short of Hon Alvera Madura-Caines (R6)—who bolted from the National Democratic Party (NDP) to join up with the VIP Government—Hon Marlon A. Penn and the other opposition members raised a number if concerns over the current government. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Leader of the Opposition, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has again served up accusations that bullying and victimisation are being exercised by the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration.

"The issue of victimisation and the issue of cronyism, we are deeply concerned that after our November Press Conference, where we raised issues... that it's more prevalent now than before, persons are afraid to speak out, persons are afraid to speak against anything that the government is doing, fear of victimisation," he said. 

HoA Members now being victimised - Hon Penn 

Hon Penn was at the time speaking at today's Thursday, January 23, 2020, opposition press conference at the Office of the House of Assembly (HoA) boardroom in Road Town, Tortola. 

With a now weakened Opposition, short of Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6)who bolted from the National Democratic Party (NDP) on January 20, 2020, to join up with the VIP GovernmentHon Penn along with Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) and Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), raised a number of concerns against the current government.   

According to the Opposition Leader, "It's already reached Members of the Honourable House of Assembly and their families, and this is a situation of concern for all of us."

Hon Penn, however, failed to specifically name the member whom he claimed was facing victimisation and bullying under the VIP Government.  

"We have to say to the people of this Territory that, this a democracy... you have a right to hold your government accountable and you should do that without fear of victimisation or retribution, and the bullying and the victimisation that is happening currently is something that is of grave concern to us in a democracy," he said. 

He pointed to more accusations of board members getting involved in the day to day running of institutions, calling for something to be done. 

'Hypocrisy' - Hon Fahie

Premier Fahie could not be reached for comments regarding the new accusations; however, at the Thursday, November 14, 2019, Fourth HoA he called previous accusations 'hypocrisy' regarding claims of nepotism and cronyism. 

"I’m not going to sit here and let anybody throw a set of mud on the wall and hope that it sticks on this government with things that are not factual," Premier Fahie said.

"All of a sudden they become integrity police, to tell you what's good and what's not," Hon Fahie told the House in relation to the Opposition's claims.

Opposition Member, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) was notably missing from today's Opposition press conference. 

21 Responses to “'Bullying & victimisation' more prevalent now than before - Hon Penn claims”

  • cay (23/01/2020, 17:07) Like (38) Dislike (6) Reply
    Now now now is anyone taking this boy seriously?????
  • truths and rights (23/01/2020, 17:23) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    Every vip candidate past/present landed in a big job and most of the supporters/congress members inserted on various boards. Cronies given consultancies and contracts
    • long look (24/01/2020, 08:16) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
      Marlon Smurf need to stop it … He gave all of his "BEST" friends 3 AND 4 contracts, just to go Santo to his ""wedding".. GTFOH!! stop creating problems lil boy...
  • lol (23/01/2020, 17:26) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    mark missing in action while delilah defected across by judas
  • dude (23/01/2020, 17:28) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    I don't doubt that it's happening, I don't doubt that you've gotten complaints from persons who have access to you. BUT to say it's more prevalant than ever before I have real issues with..........the NDP were the worst I had ever seen with that personally. And then they turned around and said people were lying and making up stories. Perspective is a hell of a thing isn't it.
    • VOTER OF THE SIX (24/01/2020, 09:31) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      WHY MARLON DON'T SHUT HIS CLAPPERD.I WONDER IF HE REMEMBER THE ONEALS,THE VANTERPOOLS.THE FRAZIERS THAT NDP KICK OUT OF THEIR JOBS I DON'T KNOW HOW MARLON PENN FORGOT THAT.TIMES REALLY CHANGE.
  • Jaigon (23/01/2020, 17:31) Like (13) Dislike (9) Reply
    Man shut your craw
  • IBO (23/01/2020, 17:33) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    Marlon; stop it u sounding like the fox calling the grape sour, because he cant reach it. When NDP was determining locals, u didnt hawe a problem. May God save us all.
  • Well Sah (23/01/2020, 17:47) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Marlon Losing it.
  • Oh Please (23/01/2020, 18:15) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Stop
  • Please Sir, stop (23/01/2020, 18:50) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Enough all ready. Marlon you are losing your marbles. Politics is a very dangerous sport and it will take you down. But, you all knew what you were singing up for. Politics in the BVI is getting real dirty and grimey. You guys are worse or just as bad as the ones in DC.

  • pity (23/01/2020, 18:54) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    This country is in a critical mess and all the elected officials are clueless.
  • ReX FeRal (23/01/2020, 22:02) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every body digging out the Virgin Islands for what they can get.
  • ReX FeRal (24/01/2020, 00:51) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Marlon please quit while you are ahead. Just freakin quit. If you don't have anything to say just shut the hell up.
  • 911 (24/01/2020, 01:33) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    National Devil Party on the loose...cannon.
  • cat (24/01/2020, 02:20) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    He just mad they got pictures of his wedding
  • Ridiculous (24/01/2020, 07:21) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    Marlon you are not a leader. I find these press conferences distasteful. Position may have you feeling high and mighty but you aroma stink. You not ready for this. There are capable men and women running the country already Mr. Entitle.
  • Come on (24/01/2020, 08:31) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come on. Give specifics. Evidence. Support your claims or you are not worth your marbles.
  • Ghost (24/01/2020, 08:41) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    "All of a sudden they become integrity police, to tell you what's good and what's not," Hon Fahie told the House in relation to the Opposition's claims... I agree with you Premier.. don’t worry with Min. Penn.. he was part of the fowl pen that left our country in disrepair- his government squandering so much of our tax payers monies and to date no accountability ..
  • wellsa (24/01/2020, 11:39) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its ironic that we can see all the wrong when the shoe is on the other foot. Marlon you should know about this because your party the same one of which you lead did everything for their cronies and left the rest of us out in the cold. All political parties take care of their supporters its expected. At least Fahie giving all a piece of the pie unlike you and your party.
  • vbp (24/01/2020, 14:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    TING TO TALK IN THE BVI...…..


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