Premier chides Opposition Leader for mockery of security detail
Premier Fahie has already said publicly he was advised by the National Security Council to get personal security detail following at least three threats of assassination against him since he became Premier.
And while Hon Fahie, during the May 17, 2019, Third Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands (VI, when responding to questions on his security detail, had said due to the nature and sensitivity of the matter and in the name of national security, he wanted to “crave the indulgence” of the Honourable Leader of the Opposition to have the matter properly ventilated at a different forum amongst all of his colleagues, the issue came up briefly and unexpectedly during the Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands today, July 31, 2019.
Legal fees for Speaker Willock nowhere close to $7.2M!
At the time, Hon Penn had wanted to know the total amount in legal fees incurred by the Government of the Virgin Islands in the case between Speaker Hon Julian Willock and Fourth District Representative Hon Mark H. Vanterpool.
Premier Fahie had previously stated that the bill so far is $270,526.90, with $130,525.20 already paid.
He noted; however, that the court is yet to rule on costs so he was unsure of what the total amount would be.
“It the matter of costs is still in the courts essentially cost could go up to an additional $120,000 based on my understanding of what Hon Vanterpool paid for his legal case if he is awarded legal costs. So that is about $490, 000, close to half a million dollars to the people,” Hon Penn speculated.
Premier Fahie retorted: “No, it wouldn’t be as much as the $7.2M for the plane that we haven’t found yet,” and reiterated that there was an incurred cost to Government because there was a conflict between the Attorney General and the Speaker.
Premier Fahie had explained that the Attorney General had previously advised Hon Vanterpool on his ‘resignation’ matter at the time and it would have been a conflict of interest to then represent the Speaker in court.
“If there was no conflict then there would have been no bill here as the Attorney General would have been representing the Speaker, but since there was a conflict the Speaker had to get independent legal attorney, which has cost the tax payers some money.”
Regarding the total legal fees to be paid by Government, Hon Fahie said, “Whether it would be more or not I don’t want to pre-empt the courts.
At this point, Hon Penn said: “Yes Mr Premier, you are certainly right it it’s less than the $7.2M and also less than the one point something million we paying for security so…”
Security detail no joking matter!
Premier Fahie then rebutted that the Opposition Member was giving false information as the cost for his security was nowhere he was suggesting.
“And I need security and I don’t take it lightly whenever you make joke on that because that is my family and me and I realise the Opposition has this for a joke, certain members, because you want people to think that I am wasting the tax payers money with security.”
Premier Fahie continued, “But one of these days I will tell you why I need it, since ayo pushing me to do it.”
Deputy Speaker Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) then called for order in the HoA.
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12 Responses to “Premier chides Opposition Leader for mockery of security detail”
Smuf is. J**kss
He stands and smirks his way through the proceedings like a cocky little schoolboy.