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Governor claims he will remain neutral in VI election

- asked Opposition to provide more evidence of Hon Myron V. Walwyn’s wrong doing!
With the public losing confidence in the ability of United Kingdom-appointed Governor John S. Duncan OBE to uphold good governance and law and order, there are also questions whether he will remain neutral in the Virgin Islands general elections expected by June 8, 2015. Photo: VINO
From left: Opposition member and Second District Representative Hon J Alvin Christopher and controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn, has remained silent on the matter raised by the Opposition. It was also unearthed that his firm, Orion Law, had a direct relationship with the BVI Health Services Authority after Premier Smith lied to the public that it was indirectly via Zolfo Cooper. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Opposition member and Second District Representative Hon J Alvin Christopher and controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn, has remained silent on the matter raised by the Opposition. It was also unearthed that his firm, Orion Law, had a direct relationship with the BVI Health Services Authority after Premier Smith lied to the public that it was indirectly via Zolfo Cooper. Photo: VINO/File
Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA (right) and senior Virgin Islands Party member and First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie. Photo: VINO/File
Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA (right) and senior Virgin Islands Party member and First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- With the public losing confidence in the ability of United Kingdom-appointed Governor John S. Duncan OBE to uphold good governance and law and order, there are also questions whether he will remain neutral in the Virgin Islands general elections expected by June 8, 2015.

Many political pundits, talk show hosts, the media and ordinary citizens have already concluded that Governor Duncan seems to allegedly favour the current National Democratic Party (NDP) Government.

His critics claim that despite all the issues raised by the Opposition, the Auditor General, the Public Accounts Committee and the people, Governor Duncan continues to turn a blind eye.

Promised to be neutral

However, in an emailed response to this news site via his spokeswoman Maria Mays, the governor promised to be neutral in the Virgin Islands general elections.

According to Ms Mays, as a United Kingdom civil servant Governor Duncan is “obligated to excise political impartiality”. She also emailed our news room the UK civil-service code which includes guidance on political impartiality.

The governor in recent months has come under heavy criticism for not ordering a Commission of Inquiry after two reports, one from the House of Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee and the other from the Auditor General, found that there were corruption, conflict of interest and no one looking out for the tax payers’ interest on the Ports Development Project.

One talk show host, Edmund G. Maduro, has already called for Mr Duncan to be recalled by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for what is presumed to be his lack of practice of upholding good governance, something he promised when he gave the British Overseas Territory his first speech on his swearing in.

Governor: More evidence please!

Meanwhile, governor Duncan has confirmed to our news room via Ms Mays that he received a letter from three Opposition members Hons Julian Fraser RA, (R3) Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and J Alvin Christopher (R2) over alleged violations of section 67 (3) (e) by Minster for Education and Culture Myron V. Walwyn.

The Opposition members reportedly provided the governor with evidence that two companies that Hon Walwyn has interest in, MVW International Ltd., and The Pub (2012) Ltd., took in some $100,000 in catering money without seeking permission from the House of Assembly as is required by law.

In response to the Opposition letter obtained by this news site dated May 1, 2015 Governor Duncan wrote, "I have noted your request for Honourable Myron V. Walwyn to vacate his seat in the House of Assembly. However, as you are aware, the House of Assembly has been dissolved".

The governor continued in his response, "consequently, before I am able to consider your request further, I should be grateful if you can provide me and the other addressees with the evidence that demonstrates that the Member is in violation of the mentioned sections of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007".

It remains unclear if the Opposition has provided further evidence outside of cheques, treasury statements and trade licenses in response to Governor Duncan’s letter.

It is this news site’s understanding that Governor Duncan is on leave and may be in the UK to vote in the May 7, 2015 national elections.

The controversial Education and Culture Minister, Hon Walwyn, has remained silent on the matter raised by the Opposition. It was also unearthed that his firm, Orion Law, had a direct relationship with the BVI Health Services Authority after Premier Smith lied to the public that it was indirectly via Zolfo Cooper.

25 Responses to “Governor claims he will remain neutral in VI election”

  • HAHAHA (06/05/2015, 09:19) Like (26) Dislike (18) Reply
    Another loss for the Opposition! DEAD TEAM!!!!
  • ccc (06/05/2015, 09:24) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow thing to talk
  • Peace and Quiet (06/05/2015, 09:39) Like (21) Dislike (12) Reply
    Most times these governors they send down here are in pre-retirement mode. There perception of the BVI is sun sea and sand. To hell with BVI politics. The governor ain't got no time with all we. Deal with it you self.
  • facts (06/05/2015, 09:40) Like (34) Dislike (11) Reply
    This Governor has shown that he is on the side of this present Government and has no intention of dealing with them in any way even if the evidence is starring him in his face and pushing him down. I am joining the many voices in requesting his recall by FCO as he is plainly biased. I am prepared to contribute $1 towards his repatriation. Seriously
  • ooooo (06/05/2015, 10:17) Like (22) Dislike (4) Reply
    the real problem is his deputy
  • NDP heckler (06/05/2015, 10:19) Like (18) Dislike (7) Reply
    To hell with he, he is not god. We will do our thing on election day.
  • questions (06/05/2015, 10:38) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
    Why no increments were paid? What happened to the minimum wage? Where is the NHI? Why are they waiting until after election?
  • Hmmmm (06/05/2015, 10:50) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    That poor man is getting pressure from all sides including that white head NDP lady. Let's hope that he does not flip his bick like the action man.
  • qc (06/05/2015, 11:34) Like (17) Dislike (8) Reply
    Like the ndp duncan must go
  • JACK BE STILL (06/05/2015, 11:39) Like (12) Dislike (7) Reply
    This governor hot me smh....he is a waste
  • Da Rush (06/05/2015, 11:39) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply

    You guys now the governer allegedly is just hire to make sure ndp get back in

  • fish (06/05/2015, 12:20) Like (16) Dislike (7) Reply
    Nice piece vino the governor is a disapointment
  • pete (06/05/2015, 12:30) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    With these kinds of challenges, it points to the invaluable paper trail needed to prove allegations.
    Government is notorious for its lax record-keeping. It often comes down to he said she said. But any good investigative reporter or assistant should be able to prove charges. BVI has long been run on insider behavior which can't be tracked. This has to change in order for transparent governance. Charges may be true, but in court of law, they have to have the paper trail. Too bad. I also think the governor is exercising "an abundance of caution", which is not helpful guidance.
  • LinkUp (06/05/2015, 12:46) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply

    The NDP done brain wash he?

  • Connor (06/05/2015, 12:58) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply

    he is al1@r NDP to the bone...actions speak for it self

  • Concerned (06/05/2015, 13:11) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    If he is here to shield the members of the NDP government, then his tenure here will be useless. We want the corruption to stop before our country is totally destroyed. Our young people need good examples to follow. They are constantly being sent to prison because they are not seeing good examples to follow.We look down on them and throw them aside, but it is our fault. Our leaders are out of control.
  • Liat 521 (06/05/2015, 13:19) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Leave him take sides he will be begging Uncle Fraser for an extra year…the world is a circle
  • vex (06/05/2015, 15:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I will hold my thoughts
  • wize up (06/05/2015, 15:30) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply

    it always amazes me because things do not workout in our favour, the level of conversation changes; Had the governor sided with the virgin islands party as it relates to the enquires in to the port project and the most resent nonsense about that law firm; the governor would been the best thing since slice bread:(some of us do not put our confidence in any governor therefore we will never loose any confidence in him).....it is so sad to see in 2015 we are still looking for that great white hope as it relates to matters of our country(we need to hold those we voted for to better standards and leave the governor out of short comings)..let the man enjoy is 4-year vacation.....just saying!!!!

  • farmer brown (06/05/2015, 17:14) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now that the governor and attorney general have set a precedence that POs are not contract and Ministers can do business with Statutory bodies without HOA permission hope they do not enforce this selectively once the VIP gets in
  • in the news (06/05/2015, 18:28) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    We shall over come some day
  • warning (06/05/2015, 19:10) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hello small men and women of the BVI. The governor and his lookalikes get what they want under the NDP Government. He is pro NDP. Remember over the 4 years how we suffered. We could not get an audience with these corrupt NDP Government ministers, They are only for the rich, educated and whites. If they are re-elected, you all will sh--t and turn around and eat it. Dead because there is no money to seek medical attention. This is the truth because I had a vision. We will continue suffer because we fool hardies. Most of us will be homeless and beggers. Watch out.
  • 123 (07/05/2015, 00:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get this governor out of here
  • .......... (07/05/2015, 08:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Seems like the political class are crooks


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