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Gov John S. Duncan lashes back! 'I am not above the law'

- in response to statements by talk show host Edmund G. Maduro; said bloggers probably more accurate than talk show hosts
Governor of the Virgin Islands His Excellency John S. Duncan has debunked statements made by controversial talk show host Edmund G. Maduro with regard to the Constitution of the territory not being subject to prosecution as the other persons such as the Premier and Government Ministers and other officials are. Photo: VINO/File
Governor Duncan said that the Constitution is available for anyone to read and assured that Maduro is wrong in his interpretation of the territory's supreme law. Photo: VINO/File
Governor Duncan said that the Constitution is available for anyone to read and assured that Maduro is wrong in his interpretation of the territory's supreme law. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Governor of the Virgin Islands His Excellency John S. Duncan OBE has debunked statements made by controversial talk show host Edmund G. Maduro with regard to the Constitution of the territory not being subject to prosecution as the other persons such as the Premier and Government Ministers and other officials are.

And he added that bloggers are "probably" more accurate than some of the talk show hosts based on the comments he hears from them.

The Governor was responding to queries following an event last week during which he offered clarification on statements by Maduro.

"I think the bloggers are probably more accurate more than some of the statements I've seen published by some of the commentators," he said.

Governor Duncan said the Constitution is available for anyone to read and assured that Maduro is wrong in his interpretation of the territory's supreme law.

"We are going to be doing in the context of the celebration of Her Majesty's 90th birthday an education programme for particularly young people. It will explain how the Monarchy works, how the Constitution works, how the Governor works, so that people can have a better understanding [of these issues]," he said.

He staunchly disagreed that the office of Governor is not subject to prosecution, according to the Constitution.

"That’s not what it says...his interpretation is not accurate. It does not suggest that the Governor is above the law," said the Governor.

Maduro cries discrimination

Speaking on his EGM Show on February 18, 2016, Maduro said he believes it is discriminatory that the Governor cannot be prosecuted before the courts in the same way other government officials can be.

He read out Article 35 of the Constitution under Governor and lamented the powers which are conferred on that person where they seemingly evade prosecution.

“Subject to the provisions of this Constitution or by any other law by which powers or duty are conferred upon the governor, the governor shall do and execute all things that belong to his or her office including the exercise of any power to which the governor is empowered by this Constitution to act in his or her discretion…” he read.

“But to question whether or not the Governor has complied with any such instructions shall not be inquired into any court," he read.

Maduro said this is discriminatory and argued that this section of the Constitution needed to be amended.

Talk show hosts and members of the public have heavily criticised Governor Duncan for refusing to launch a Commission of Inquiry into the Ports Development Project, which has since seen millions of dollars in over-runs. This was even after the then Auditor General Sonia M. Webster and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), headed by the then Opposition Leader Ralph T. O'Neal OBE, had recommened an investigation into the project.

Further, Governor Duncan has been blasted for failing to hold the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) to its campaign promise of 'Government in the sunshine'.

17 Responses to “Gov John S. Duncan lashes back! 'I am not above the law'”

  • Building Courage (15/03/2016, 17:28) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    As expressed before, “Is it Diplomacy, Cowardice, or Indifference?” Only “Time” will tell?
  • mad (15/03/2016, 20:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad
  • Political Observer (15/03/2016, 20:54) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Gov Duncan seems to be on a tropical vacation and does not want to get engage in local politics. He is employing the procrastination approach to problem solving, especially disagreements among waring political parties. Procrastinate, procrastinate.......etc until the problem hopefully dies a natural death. It is the Napolean practice. If the Port Project did not qualify for a commission of inquiry (COI), what does, after the call from the Auditor and PAC? But he is adroit though at getting his fellow Brits in a high level positions in the Indies. Let the Guv enjoy his tropical vacation.
    • lmao (16/03/2016, 09:34) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
      I really don't understand it. You want the Governor to act based on what YOU THINK and because he doesn't, it means he is not doing his job. Are you privy to the information that the Governor and is Office are? Man you guys sound so foolish sometimes.
      • Edmund mad as can be (16/03/2016, 10:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Remember that Edmund believes that the Constitution gives him the right to do other laundry!
  • gg (15/03/2016, 21:39) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    But for real the governor has not served us well
  • see now? (15/03/2016, 23:01) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    even the governor reading blogs and I am sure he is bloging also
  • wize up (16/03/2016, 00:11) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    I hope maduro knows that he is expressing his own personal views: I personally think edmund should take up a hobby
    • dog (18/03/2016, 09:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Like him or not, he brings issues up and gets people talking. This is valuable in a democracy and not just follow like sheep. We need "deviance" because without it there is no progress. thank you EM for making people think and talk.
  • i from here (16/03/2016, 08:29) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Duncan in he MS.....lol

    Take that Edmund!
  • Hmm (16/03/2016, 08:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Be For Real.
  • wow (16/03/2016, 08:51) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    you are right you are not above the law but you are not doing your job either
    • wize up (16/03/2016, 16:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ SMH: it is the people which were voted into political office that must good a job.....do you think that the governor seriously care if the people of this territory kill each other: in 2016 and we still looking to the whites for guidance: after his 4 year vacation he leave the territory but most of us will remain here so who to blame( stop blaming the governor)
  • trrefdrfds (16/03/2016, 22:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The governor needs to realize that his role is up holding the considitution and not policy. Leave the statements regarding policy to the Minsiters of Government


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