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No apology for Her Majesty the Queen! - Premier

Above: Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith (inset) said there would be no apology for his Party's departure from the chambers of the House of Assembly during its last sitting. Photo: VINO/File
At a press conference held on August 20, 2013 Dr Smith was asked whether he would offer an apology as demanded by Opposition Members Hon. Andrew A. Fahie (left) and Hon. Julian Fraser, RA and he answered that he didn’t see it as a walkout. Photo: VINO/File
At a press conference held on August 20, 2013 Dr Smith was asked whether he would offer an apology as demanded by Opposition Members Hon. Andrew A. Fahie (left) and Hon. Julian Fraser, RA and he answered that he didn’t see it as a walkout. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Holding steadfast to claims that the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) government did not walk out of a House of Assembly (HOA) sitting on July 26, 2013, Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith told the media there will no apology forthcoming for his party’s actions.

At a press conference held on August 20, 2013 Dr Smith was asked whether he would offer an apology as demanded by Opposition Members Hon. Andrew A. Fahie and Hon. Julian Fraser, RA and he answered that he didn’t see it as a walkout.

“Actually… what we did, I wanted to have a discussion with my colleagues about the continuation of the process and so we assembled outside to have a discussion,” Premier Smith stated.

Hon. Fahie had earlier expressed that the NDP Members walked out of the room during the middle of a debate as Hon. Fraser was speaking, leaving the Speaker Hon. Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe to hurriedly adjourn the proceedings as there was no longer a quorum within the chambers of the HOA. Hon. Fraser was at the time leading a Motion of No Confidence against the NDP government.

The First District Representative charged that the NDP’s claim of creating a culture of excellence was rubbished by what appears to be a clear culture of disrespect that reigned in the House of Assembly as a result and stated that there was no excuse for the walk out.

He further claimed that the party was insulting the intelligence of the people of the Virgin Islands with claims that they left to have a discussion and said the walkout was also an affront to Her Majesty the Queen who was represented by the mace in the HOA.

“We are calling on this Administration to apologise forthwith to Her Majesty,” said Hon. Fahie. He also called for apologies to the Speaker, the House of Assembly as well as the people of the Virgin Islands because, “they abdicated their responsibilities to do the work of the people by walking out,” he said.

Hon. Fahie said that in his research he could not find a single instance of any government walking out of the House of Assembly, which was quite different from the Opposition walking out.

But the Premier countered that the NDP Members returned to the room within the time limit for the session to continue and therefore it couldn’t be viewed as a walkout.

“In my mind and most people, that’s not considered a walkout,” he said.

19 Responses to “No apology for Her Majesty the Queen! - Premier”

  • apple pie (22/08/2013, 14:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    you see why the people regard the house of assembly as a circus and jerry springer!!
  • zoe (22/08/2013, 14:57) Like (9) Dislike (25) Reply
    The only party that can bring change is the VIP..can't wait for next time no more mistakes
  • Missing Link (22/08/2013, 14:59) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Brother Orlando I am a shame of you it’s not Hons. Fahie and Fraser u embarrassing it’s the country.....
  • Ahmmm (22/08/2013, 15:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who really needs to apologize for that debacle?

    I thought it was the Leader of the Opposition who was suppose to bring that kind of motion to the house.

    Now the spin machine busy trying to turn the tables. . .
    • To Ahmm (22/08/2013, 16:00) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wrong is wrong no matter who brought the Motion it was in line or it would not have been allowed. We teach our children to have respect when someone is talking to them but because we love a particular political party or person(s) we now accepting disrespectful acts and condoning it. What's wrong is wrong & the Premier was wring in this instance & should apologise asap to the people.
    • @ Ahmmm (22/08/2013, 17:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      HA! The pot calling the kettle .......
  • facts man (22/08/2013, 15:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I do not want him to apologise to the Queen but to the BVI people
  • Not surprised (22/08/2013, 16:01) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply

    This man is a d*ce!v*r. I knew this from long but the country will find out slowly but surely.

  • What? (22/08/2013, 16:06) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Let us evaluate this behaviour. The Premier wanted to have discussions with his team. No problem. So without asking the Speaker's permission to be excused all of them got up & walked out leaving only the 4 Opposition members knowing that the House must have 7 members at all times to function or it has to stop immediately & the Premier doesn't see the folly of his ways? Man come on Premier stop insulting our intelligence & embarrassing the country.
  • Just saying (22/08/2013, 17:04) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    No apology then how can we ever respect the NDP again eh?
  • tgfdgrft (22/08/2013, 17:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The NDP is treading on dangerous grounds. While I am not on the side of any political party, I am afraid that the NDP seems to be heading down a path that could lead to their demise/defeat during the next election. Remember its about perception and they seem to be having a diffult time dealing with this.
  • overseas (22/08/2013, 17:44) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    If this is what BVI produces and votes to run the country, the BVI needs to stop and take stock.

    These clowns are making it all into a joke.
  • David (23/08/2013, 08:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just remember: These 2 parties are continually arguing over which one of them has done less for the people of the BVI. The territory is faced with significant issues relating to the economy and well-being of the people, and the only thing the NDP and VIP do is point fingers at each other. Both current parties are outdated. Change must come from the people.
    • doc (23/08/2013, 18:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      A na steppin aside dey jes tryn tek my seat.
      • congress (24/08/2013, 17:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Maybe ' reality-tv ' , has consumed peoples better judgement ; its now say/do anything for attention the new rule of the NDP....Cheap !
  • No (23/08/2013, 10:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    is her majesty's h.o.a so the embaras the queen and the people,we have free speech to say that
  • MARCH (24/08/2013, 17:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pointless and empty
  • Newbie (26/08/2013, 22:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everybody need to stop this F*&^. Who gives a flying hoot about NDP or VIP. NONE OF THEM good for the country ... because them OLD.. and don't want to go home and give the younger people a chance to see how it is done. THEM stuck in them ways... and neither of them working for the benefit of the country... LIKE THEM CLAIM.. they only working for the benefit of them OWN DAMN POCKETS. This country runs on the back of the hard working NOBODIES.. that they does call we. And they expect us to trust them.. I voted for the first ever in this country... and sorry I ever walked to the polling station... for what.. to see these FOOLS.... bicker over Bull S*&^. How is that helping the country... are they trying to find ways to help the people keep food in their refridgerator, or a roof over our heads... NO... Them arguing over S&^* as usual. I sick of this place and everybody with them damn two cents like they could do any better...

    All I am keep hearing is them got two more years... really, so you all going to put back in a bunch of people that would spend 10, 000,000 dollars knowing fully well them only got 5,000,000 in the back. Please... all of them including NDP does mis managed funds... and them saying it is for the best interest of the country... HMMMMM you all waitt... St. Thomas was a warning to US in case nobody picked up on it...

    LAY OFFS coming
    Salary cuts coming
    Welfare coming too, because either they going help us feed our family or CRIME WILL INCREASE.

    So let them sit there like them don't know any better... Especially those who saying there is no price difference between here and St. Thomas.... please all them men in power how many of you see them in the grocery store shopping... especially since they can afford it with there perks being ministers.

    THINK PEOPLE WE ARE IN TROUBLE... and them still arguing.. SO TIRED OF THIS CRAP IT's NOT FUNNY ANYMORE.


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