Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

No legitimate concerns of conflict of interest involving Ministers - Premier

Despite concerns raised in certain quarters about Ministers of government who hold tangible interest in companies that conduct business with the government, Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith has stated that there are no legitimate concerns surrounding the issue. Photo: VINO
“As far as I am aware, any investments that I have with respect to the BVI Investment Club have been put in a Trust or under some other person’s name or whatever legal advice I was given to ensure that I was not involved in any way to create any conflict of interest,” the Deputy Premier stated in the HOA on July 26, 2013. Photo: VINO/File
“As far as I am aware, any investments that I have with respect to the BVI Investment Club have been put in a Trust or under some other person’s name or whatever legal advice I was given to ensure that I was not involved in any way to create any conflict of interest,” the Deputy Premier stated in the HOA on July 26, 2013. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Despite concerns raised in certain quarters about Ministers of government who hold tangible interest in companies that conduct business with the government, Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith has stated that there are no legitimate concerns surrounding the issue.

Dr Smith was at the time speaking at a press conference held yesterday, August 20, 2013 in response to a question of whether he was bothered by these questions or whether there were legitimate concerns of conflict of interest being raised.

“No, as far as I know, in fact what I would like to say, is if you have any particular instances I would be able to address them right now. But where there is any suggestion of conflict of interest, whoever has those [concerns] can of course always come to myself, members of government or to the Governor if they wish and these matters would be addressed.”

Dr Smith was then reminded of a statement made by Deputy Premier, Dr The Hon. Kedrick D. Pickering during the last sitting of the House of Assembly in which he claimed that he was a proud member of the BVI Investment Club and had taken all necessary legal measures to ensure that he was not conflicted in any way with his responsibilities as a Minister of government.

“As far as I am aware, any investments that I have with respect to the BVI Investment Club have been put in a Trust or under some other person’s name or whatever legal advice I was given to ensure that I was not involved in any way to create any conflict of interest,” the Deputy Premier stated in the HOA on July 26, 2013.

“I think if you were to look at the structure of the [BVI] Investment Club, you would observe that they have many different companies and various members of the club can be involved in whichever companies they wish to be involved in and not necessarily be in a conflict of interest,” Dr Smith said.

The Premier noted though, that in general practice in other businesses, persons involved in any particular business were excluded from discussions that hinted at conflicts of interest.

Asked whether he felt there were ethical issues involved apart from the stated legal expressions, Premier Smith advised that he did not share such concerns as it was standard practice where any family member of a government Minister was involved in any business decision with government for that particular Minister to be excluded from the decision making process.

17 Responses to “No legitimate concerns of conflict of interest involving Ministers - Premier”

  • Ah saw (21/08/2013, 08:07) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply

    He doesn't know nor care for the truth anymore. We are in trouble with a leader like this.

  • qc (21/08/2013, 08:22) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    More lies
  • DON Q (21/08/2013, 09:56) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    so i wonder if when the bughers bay plant deal come before the cabinet if he excuse himself?
  • Hmmmm (21/08/2013, 11:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job Orlando for sticking to your failed script
  • samuel (21/08/2013, 13:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Poor Doc. Doc lost his compass.
  • Forbidden Truth (21/08/2013, 13:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    For truth there is no dead line. time will tell. this is very irresponsible leadership. The youths (fguture leaders of the VI's)are reading this to.
  • hoa (21/08/2013, 15:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have to think very careful, because some companies are doing business with this government that is owned by members of the HOA and the owners have no regards for transparency.
  • dog meat (21/08/2013, 17:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    go to him or the governor please wheel and come again doc smith
  • red light (21/08/2013, 17:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh for christ sake Mr. Smith we know better!!
  • GoonSquad (21/08/2013, 19:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can anyone ever again believe Dr don’t have a clue?
  • mandown (21/08/2013, 19:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So are we to assume The Premier woke up out of the twilight zone?
  • dog (22/08/2013, 16:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    no "legitimate" concerns... but concerns none the less. are you deciding what is valid or not?
  • y (23/08/2013, 18:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    deoc suddenly understands there is such a thing as conflict of interest


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.