Gov’t hires $400,000 UK Lawyer! Value for money?
While the full information or breakdown of the price tag was not given to the public, this publication understands Cabinet hired Mr Furness without any tender process.
The UK Queen’s Council was hired to assist the Territory avoid the European Union (EU) tax-avoidance Blacklist, by coming up with a legislative solution.
It's unclear who recommended the UK Attorney or whether anyone else was considered at a lower cost but Premier Smith in justifying the huge cost, told reporters, “we selected somebody who was highly recommended, as an expert in the area.”
Broke Treasury
He was speaking at the time, at a press briefing held on Monday, October 1, 2018.
The former Chairman of the NDP and Co Leader of Government business did not however give details by name of who recommended Mr Furness and how his Government—with a broke Treasury—will foot that Bill.
In March of 2018 EU Financial Ministers placed the Virgin Islands (VI) on a ‘grey list’ of jurisdictions they believe do not abide by their anti-tax-avoidance stands.
They have given the VI until the end of 2018 to address their issues or face full blacklisting.
Usual double standards-Julian Willock
Mr Julian Willock, a former Permanent Secretary and businessman who often speaks to the international press about the VI’s Financial sector said, “this is just another example of where the EU are asking that we comply with standards they themselves do not uphold.”
He insists “it’s unfair, it’s the big countries trying to take advantage of the smaller ones adding more financial burden on us.”
Mr Willock said the EU is “well aware of our well-regulated jurisdiction, but that does not matter to them”, they want to shut us down and that is the bottom line.”
“Once we agreed to the new demands, it will not stop there” Mr Willock—who will be running for office in the next election—stated.
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16 Responses to “Gov’t hires $400,000 UK Lawyer! Value for money? ”
Third, his work will be there for all to learn from no matter whether it is ultimately successful.
Fourth, he cannot and will not live here without leaving a serious portion of that in the economy.
Finally, yes Gerry and others are working on the project. We are only suffering so much because we refused to have leading international figures at the top of the FSC and shaping the services range whereas others like Cayman, who still missed some opportunities playing the race card, finally decided to get things done. Now they have a much more diverse financial services and more diverse and robust economy.
A local firm can also add a sense of direction to where they want it to be
Then, Mr. UK Lawyer can run with those information to come with most plausible solutions
Knowing that the British government has already made its ruling in relation to this matter in the House of Lords, it will require the British government to return to the House of Lords and reverse the decision that they have made. It is unlikely that such a measure will be taken.
Perhaps the Premier should have done some discussions with some of the leading Queen's Counsels in the territory to obtain their opinions before going to London to obtain legal service and spend money that may or may not resolve the matter. I wonder where is Mrs. Parson. She is extremely quiet in recent time.