Premier’s UK trip was uninvited; cost taxpayers $43,000
Dr Smith made the disclosure on July 24, 2018 when the House of Assembly (HoA) met. The Premier further disclosed that he was not invited to the UK but rather made the trip off his own volition.
Lobby
He explained that the initiative was taken to head to London, “to lobby against the passage of an amendment to the UK Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill for the imposition, by Order in Council, of a public register of beneficial ownership on the British Virgin Islands and other Overseas Territories.”
The Premier was at the time, responding to a question posed in the HoA, from Third District Representative, Honourable Julian Fraser RA.
Asked about the inclusion of Hon Fahie in the delegation, the Premier told members of the House, “I invited the Honourable Leader of the Opposition to accompany me.”
He explained, “…the amendment has grave and unjust implications for this Territory and we had to make every possible effort, including a unified lobby by the Government and the Opposition to prevent the passage of the amendment.”
Valiant Effort
Dr Smith said while in London, the delegation met with a number of persons including the Minister for the Overseas Territories, members of the House of Lords, consultants, legal advisers and the Cayman Islands delegation led by their Honourable Premier who had similarly travelled to London to lobby against the passage of the Bill.
“We made a valiant effort but the tide was against the Overseas Territories…The Bill including the amendment was passed and received the Royal Assent on 23 May, 2018.”
Hon Fahie who is also the Chairman of the Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) had noted ahead of the trip that “the matter transcends politics and political parties and it’s a BVI matter and larger than any individual, I put aside all political differences on the home front and engage in possible solutions…”
The delegation had travelled to the UK from May 14, 2018 to Saturday, May 19, 2018.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Premier's Office, Ms Dawn J. Smith, had also accompanied the VI’s delegation.
12 Responses to “Premier’s UK trip was uninvited; cost taxpayers $43,000 ”
Further, ever since the Governor stripped D-3 Rep of the Leader of the Opposition position Fraser left the VIP. He would have more credibility if he had instantaneously quit but he lacked the professional courtesy to do so. The D-3 rep led the VIP in the 2015 general election and was slaughtered at the polls 11-2. Now the D-3 rep is supposedly forming a new party. What is the name of the party?
The leader of the Opposition must be commended for putting aside political differences and look for the good of the territory. Hon. Fahie was looking for the territory and not for political points. Hon. Fraser, you better look out or your chances at the poll will be lost and it will be the end of your political career.
How does a 5 day visit to the U.K. cost 43k? Two roundtrio flights, two hotel rooms and meals! Are you serious.
U need to get serious.