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Inquiry Response Unit established to cooperate with Commission of Inquiry

- IRU is led by Sir Charles Geoffrey Cox QC & administered by Withers BVI; Will report to Attorney General
The Inquiry Response Unit (IRU), which was established by the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands on February 5, 2021, and is led by the Right Honourable Sir Charles Geoffrey Cox QC (in photo) and administered by Withers BVI, will report to the Attorney General, Honourable Dawn J. Smith. Photo: The Times
Secretary to the Commission Mr Steven Chandler, in a press statement on February 15, 2021, said the Commissioner, Gary R. Hickinbottom (in photo), has been informed and welcomes that it is a policy of the Government of the Virgin Islands that all ministries, departments, statutory bodies and Government-owned entities provide appropriate and timely cooperation with the Inquiry. Photo: VINO/File
Secretary to the Commission Mr Steven Chandler, in a press statement on February 15, 2021, said the Commissioner, Gary R. Hickinbottom (in photo), has been informed and welcomes that it is a policy of the Government of the Virgin Islands that all ministries, departments, statutory bodies and Government-owned entities provide appropriate and timely cooperation with the Inquiry. Photo: VINO/File
The Commission of Inquiry was announced on January 18, 2021, by controversial former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert to look into whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty may have taken place amongst public, elected and statutory officials in recent years in the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
The Commission of Inquiry was announced on January 18, 2021, by controversial former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert to look into whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty may have taken place amongst public, elected and statutory officials in recent years in the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
The Inquiry Response Unit will report to the Attorney General, Honourable Dawn J. Smith. Photo: VINO/File
The Inquiry Response Unit will report to the Attorney General, Honourable Dawn J. Smith. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Putting into action its word that it would cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry into governance, the Government of the Virgin Islands has set up an Inquiry Response Unit (IRU) to facilitate information sharing in a systematic and efficient way.

The IRU, which was established by the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands on February 5, 2021, and is led by the Right Honourable Sir Charles Geoffrey Cox QC and administered by Withers BVI, will report to the Attorney General, Honourable Dawn J. Smith.

The Commission of Inquiry was announced on January 18, 2021, by controversial former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert to look into whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty may have taken place amongst public, elected and statutory officials in recent years in the [British] Virgin Islands.

Role of IRU

According to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) today, February 22, 2021, the IRU was established to ensure full cooperation with the Inquiry and facilitation of the Inquiry process, while upholding the legal duties and legitimate interests of the Government.

“The IRU functions as an independent unit to support the Attorney General's Chambers in ensuring that information is provided to the Inquiry in a systematic, efficient and well-organised way, which is both auditable and accountable.

The IRU will also assist Ministers and public officers to understand their duties in relation to the Inquiry,” the press release informed.

Mission Statement

The IRU's Mission Statement is as follows:

"To function as an independent unit acting in the public interest to support the work of the Attorney General and the Virgin Islands Government to achieve the fullest possible cooperation with the Commission of Inquiry, advising on and coordinating the disclosure of documents and information to the Commission, while ensuring the legal duties and legitimate interests of the Virgin Islands Government are upheld."

Commission welcomes cooperation of VI Gov’t

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Commission Mr Steven Chandler, in a press statement on February 15, 2021, said the Commissioner, Gary R. Hickinbottom, has been informed and welcomes that it is a policy of the Government of the Virgin Islands that all ministries, departments, statutory bodies and Government-owned entities provide appropriate and timely cooperation with the Inquiry.

Mr Chandler further said the Commissioner wanted to reassure the population of the VI, and its public officers in particular, that whatever mechanisms government adopts to assist the Commission there is nothing to prevent those in public office who have concerns from coming forward directly to the Commission.

14 Responses to “Inquiry Response Unit established to cooperate with Commission of Inquiry”

  • DON Q (22/02/2021, 12:55) Like (4) Dislike (38) Reply
    Racist Jespert done have his conclusion
    • Hot one (22/02/2021, 16:57) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      Mr Cox is a very clever lawyer - excellent move to set up this response unit. Let the Governor and his Commissioner say that Mr Cox is not providing information if they dare
  • great (22/02/2021, 13:57) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
    Good move,,,,,,Waay too late,,,,, Evidence already collected,,,, Damaged already done,,
    • FEO GOMEZ (23/02/2021, 07:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Against whom? NDP was in power past 8 years VIP just got in. Who you think the damage done too?
  • lodger (22/02/2021, 13:59) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    This will ensure nobody responds. Pity.
  • Long look me come (22/02/2021, 14:53) Like (2) Dislike (19) Reply
    So the mother country is costing us yet again to pay big legal fees that’s why thoes who are against independence are uncle toms and slave niggers
  • FIY (22/02/2021, 15:52) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Uncle Tom was a peaceful humble man. Check your History.
    • Duttyharry (22/02/2021, 16:45) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
      Once Uncle Tom had 'slaves,' he was not peaceful, he had "N***As," and he and his friends were raping children, women and men. So, it was 'nasty, dutty, peodiphile' Uncle Tom. No good name for him.
  • @Fly (22/02/2021, 16:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Words cant describe wat I would do to u under four eyes ...ur two that I will leave wide open and mines
  • waaaaaaidaminute (22/02/2021, 22:45) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    that's putting a good person in an invidious position - she's related to the last Premier, who is going to be the subject of many accusations, at least by proxy.
  • FEO GOMEZ (23/02/2021, 07:29) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    Where was the commission of inquiry and press to the world when NDP help those CLEARS steal 7 million of our money? But when they feel local black men dipping in the corruption cookie jar Jaspart want to act like a THOT.
  • Rohanna (23/02/2021, 18:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fahie needs to stop wasting money getting lawyers and now the nomsensical inquiry response unit.. when will he learn that the British has already made up their mind ss to what they will do and nothing can change that.
  • from buckingham palace (24/02/2021, 15:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The COI will find corruption and theft


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