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Hon O’Neal & fmr AG Dr Christopher P. Malcolm in nasty war of words!

-Premier Smith with a straight face told the media that Dr Malcolm ‘served well’ however, Premier Smith’s own Cabinet refused to renew his contract
Virgin Islands former Attorney General Dr Christopher P. Malcolm, a Jamaican national, traded words earlier this week with the Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (R9). Photo: VINO/File
Premier Smith with a straight face told the media that Dr Malcolm ‘served well’, even though his own Cabinet refused to renew Dr Malcolm's contract. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Smith with a straight face told the media that Dr Malcolm ‘served well’, even though his own Cabinet refused to renew Dr Malcolm's contract. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Earlier this week a nasty war of words developed between the Virgin Islands former Attorney General Dr Christopher P. Malcolm, a Jamaican national, and the Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (R9).

Hon O’Neal fired first shot!

It was at the House of Assembly (HoA) Sitting on February 17, 2015 that Hon O’Neal told the public, under Other Business, that with Dr Malcolm the Virgin Islands did not get value for money and that he often asked the Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton who would be sworn in as Attorney General. Hon O’Neal was reportedly referring to the frequent travel of Dr Malcolm and his absence from the HoA making it necessary to swear in a new acting Attorney General.

In speaking about Dr Malcolm’s two-year tenure in the Virgin Islands, Hon. O’Neal said "we had a saga boy. I am not afraid to say it."

Hon O’Neal, the Ninth District Representative and veteran Legislator who will not be seeking another term in office come the 2015/16 elections, further stated, "I mean, I don't think we got any value for money from him and they are taking advantage of the place, but it has to stop and we don't want to see it again."

Dr Malcolm fired back-he got thing to talk

However, from Jamaica Dr Malcolm fired back with fighting words at the Leader of the Opposition.

Dr Malcolm stated that a history, not subject to revisionism, will, for example, speak to certain election offences that he alleged were committed several years ago by the Leader of the Opposition.

"The fact of commission is, however, a matter of public record that may be gleaned from the archives of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. In this regard, there are things to talk and to be reminded of when questions of credibility arise."

In firing shots also at the pro-government online news site BVI Platinum, Dr Malcolm stated “had the Platinum News reporter been professional, he or she would have sought to determine, among other things, whether Mr O’Neal was in any position to credibly make any such statement….”

The response by the former Attorney General continued in stating that “the BVI Platinum reporter should also have been able to confront Mr O’Neal with the fact that Dr Malcolm never served a Government led by him and never had reason to report to him”.

Dr Smith ducks the questions as usual

At a hurriedly called press conference yesterday February 20, 2015 Premier of the Virgin Islands Dr the Honourable D Orlando Smith ducked the issue as he normally does with most matters.

The Premier was bombarded with questions on recent comments by Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (R9) regarding former Attorney General Dr Christopher P. Malcolm.

It was put to the Premier that Dr Malcolm is willing to speak out on some matters as it related to the releasing of certain information to the public but would first require the Premier to waive the Attorney/Client privilege by which Dr Malcolm is bound.

Premier Smith responded in the negative saying that at the time he was not in a position to say if his government was prepared to grant the public request of Dr Malcolm.

No renewal of contract

It was a story firstly and accurately broken by this news site that the Government of Premier Smith was not renewing the contract of Dr Malcolm when it ended in December 2014.

Dr Malcolm also confirmed that it was not going to be renewed as he had not put forward a request for it to be done. 

Notwithstanding, information obtained by this news site shows a letter was written from the Human Resources Department indicating to the former Attorney General that his contract would not be renewed.

However, with a straight face after being involved in the decision not to renew Dr Malcolm’s contact, Dr Smith claimed that the former Attorney General “performed well”.

30 Responses to “Hon O’Neal & fmr AG Dr Christopher P. Malcolm in nasty war of words!”

  • Defense Attorney (21/02/2015, 14:27) Like (21) Dislike (6) Reply
    If it is one time I have to agree with Hon. RT O'neal is now. The man has done obsolutely nothing to make a difference her. He was a real saga boy who travels quite frequently. The issues about elections offences years ago has already been dealt with and the court ruled then that comments made by Hon. O'Neal's first cousin back then were fair comments. One will remember that it was Mr. O'neal who had brought the suit against his cousin for deformation of character but the table had turn then on Mr. O'neal and we know at the time that he resigned his position as a Minister of Government, based on the judgement of the Court that was presided over by Justice Ephrim Georges. Not too long after, General Elections were held here where we say the said cousin, Mr. Allen O'neal coming up against RT O'neal in that election. Younger O'neal got such a whipping at the poles that he immediately retired from active politics leaving his brother Hubert to continue to take the remainder of the blows over the years. We all know that after that election, Hon. O'neal was made the deputy Chief minister and not too long after he was appointed the Chief Minister due to the sudden death of Hon. HL Stoutt. Since then for about 4 consecutive elections Hon. O'neal has won his seat, he served About 3 terms as Chief Minister and one term as Premier. So for Christopher Malcolm to come now talking about that election case is very very small minded and unprofessional about him. As I always said this man only carry a doctorate behind his name but I consider him a total waste of time, one who has not make a difference here as AG and as far as I am concerned one who collected a salary here for Two years without doing anything, well sorry, with only I'll advising the then Governor to shaft Civil servants.
  • Truth. (21/02/2015, 14:32) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why are people afraid to stand? If Dr. Malcolm gave value for money he would not have been let go. Unless there was another reason. The talk was always that the man was globe throttling and couldn't give Govt. Proper advice. The man needs to accept his contract wasn't renewed for a reason and the obvious was they didn't need his services and stop letting his unprofessional image come out.

  • ooooo (21/02/2015, 14:45) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply

    doc is just a pre...icator who is seeking more political mileage

  • xxxxxxxx (21/02/2015, 15:46) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply
    Ralph need to be careful what he say
    • Forwhat (21/02/2015, 17:31) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      He's a dinosar lived longer than saga bwoi. And he has no idea how the dinosar lived so long.
  • Biras and Oil nut (21/02/2015, 16:34) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply

    Premier deadly like a sidewinder snake. Why didn't no nuts Malcolm chat s..t when he was here in the VI? P..sy cat had to run. He was a darn fr..d if you ask me.

    • .... (21/02/2015, 17:46) Like (3) Dislike (16) Reply
      Well, why didn't Ralph talk s..t when Dr. Malcom was here? When Ralph was here he did nothing but praise the AG, so why the U turn now. As to his value for money none of you here are able to speak to that because you weren't in any professional relationship with the man. Furthermore,
  • kevin (21/02/2015, 17:40) Like (4) Dislike (12) Reply
    Chris is a good man i do not care what a man say!
  • inquiry mind (21/02/2015, 17:47) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Dr. Smith is such a fool…and thinks he could out smart we the little people. So when a man is performing well you get rid of him…come Doc please, please stop the LIES
  • Hmmmm (21/02/2015, 17:56) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
    Dr. Malcolm need to talk about the sins of the NDP while he was there for the two years… he needs to grow some balls from studying poor RTO who I must agree in on his way out and could like others be irrelevant
  • local man (21/02/2015, 20:01) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    the legacy of the ndp is talk and broken promises
  • REAL TRUTH (21/02/2015, 20:21) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Oh oh the haters are out...... a set on nincompoops like "Defense Attorney" and "Truth." are the bloggers? All the other sites have a mature level of comments but here they show the poor mentality. Dr. Malcolm served his time and served it well. Even Ralph ONeal said so in the House. I don't see how "Defense Attorney" can come to the conclusion that Dr Malcolm has done nothing. He is not the Premier nor the Governor so he has no authority to say anything but blog a set of nonsense. Don't all the Minsters travel? Shouldn't the man go on vacation? Shouldnt the man go to oversees conferences to represent the BVI? It is small narrow minded people like you who make no sense at all and probably is not a professional person anyway but just a very opinionated one.
    • Betweenthelines (22/02/2015, 07:18) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      You could always tell when those who put the stories themselves turn around and blog in their own favor. Defense lawyer and truth not afraid to sugar coat nothing. So let the truth prevail in this saga. Dr. M is not speaking no truth. Don't ants up people here. He knew he wasted the Govt. money saying conferences when he was missing from many of then. He is one lying Jamaican ooo.
    • Defense Attorney (22/02/2015, 10:22) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply

      @ REAL TRUTH. You are such an a.. hole. Are you suggesting that only the Governor or Premier can see someone has done nothing. You talking about opinionated, well it's your opinion and it's also my opinion. You should check yourself when you are talking about small and narrow minded because that's just what you are, you allowing others to see for you, if only you can see for yourself. Yes I really should asked the Governor, he is the one who got all the ill advice.

      • Actually (22/02/2015, 15:19) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        In this situation, REAL TRUTH is correct. If you were a real attorney you would know that the AG is bound by Attorney-Client confidentiality, and thus the only ones privy to the AG's work holistically would be the Governor and the Premier/Government. Although based on the statutes and amendments that his office produced which were put before the House of Assembly, even Ralph said previously that the AG did good work (although that it is not a holistic observation).
        • Struppse (22/02/2015, 20:59) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          What statutes and amendments you talking about? You mean the ones that them boys said they found out can't be used that he spent Govt. money on to the Jamaican consultants?
  • 9th District Voter (21/02/2015, 20:45) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    In the judgment it clearlry says Ralph was not fit for
    holding public office. That's says how the judge saw
    him and left for Government handle it. It is also very
    clear who saved him after he step down. You people
    who are here chatting crap, needs to face reality.

    When you were told by a judge, you are NOT fit for
    public office speaks volume.
    • KING FISH (22/02/2015, 10:33) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ 9th district voter. When you don't know you don't know, I believe you should try and get your hand on a copy of the judgement and read it for yourself. It never says the man is not fit to hold public office, get you facts straight before you blog what you don't know. In the face of the judgement the man resigned and it was the electorates who voted him back overwhelmingly. A good example of when you stumble and fall you don't stay down you get up and go again. I can see straight through you, clearly you are an RT O'Neal hater.
  • fish (21/02/2015, 22:53) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This whole thing is much to do about nothing
  • west (21/02/2015, 23:30) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    if chris starts to talk a lot of people would be dead in the water.
    • bonito (22/02/2015, 07:31) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
      If the Govt. launch a COI on former AG he will be the dead fish in the water. More things to talk.
  • Talkman (22/02/2015, 07:22) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    If the Govt.do an investigation on he let's see who going jail. Picking trouble with the elder statesman? That's the one who calls in the PAC.

    I don't understand. He left the territory and still in our business. We are not interested in this saga Boi.
    • Move on (22/02/2015, 10:39) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      Same thing I thought - he already left the country so why look back? Pretty sure we are not thinking about him.
  • the builder (22/02/2015, 07:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Valve for money. LOL. This has to be personal. If valve for money is the real issue, talk about the other 75% of those who are on contract. Oh, and when you are talking don`t forget the Govt. Ministers who are getting huge housing allowances for living in their own houses...,its all tax payers money. How about conscience?
    • Our people (22/02/2015, 20:41) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      Spend our money on our leaders. They are entitled for all the allowances they get. Keep out the Ministers business. Ask Mr. O'Neal what all the housing allowance is for. It is not for living in one's house alone. Get the facts.
  • cay (22/02/2015, 14:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    In the end this is a no win for them both
  • MOVINGONUP (22/02/2015, 20:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Move on from this story. Ralphie spoke his mind, Premier said another story, we have one AG gone and roasted Ralph, we got a new AG with promise and we don't want no undermining of that office from abroad. We thank all expats who worked for us whether ending good or bad, so let's move on and do the work of the country and let's build a better BVI for all. Amandla! Viva NDP.
  • radio 1 (22/02/2015, 23:49) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    You all better leave dr malcome alone before he start to talk


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