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Public 'cannot engage' with Commission through IRU- CoI

- said there is confusion about the IRU’s role & function
The Commission of Inquiry into governance in the Virgin Islands is now claiming that recent publicity and information about the Inquiry Response Unit (IRU) set up by Cabinet to facilitate information sharing with the COI is having a 'misleading effect'. Photo: VINO
The Commission of Inquiry was announced on January 18, 2021 by controversial ex-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. Photo: VINO/File
The Commission of Inquiry was announced on January 18, 2021 by controversial ex-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. Photo: VINO/File
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. Photo: The Times
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. Photo: The Times
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Commission of Inquiry into governance in the Virgin Islands is now claiming that recent publicity and information about the Inquiry Response Unit (IRU) set up by Cabinet to facilitate information sharing with the COI is having a “misleading effect”.

While the Commission in a statement today, March 4, 2021, did not give any examples of misleading information, it said there is now confusion about the IRU’s role and function.

Role of IRU

According to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) on February 22, 2021, the IRU was established to ensure full cooperation with the Commission of 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 had informed.

The Unit, 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.

IRU not part of CoI

The Commission today clarified that the IRU is not part of the independent Commission of Inquiry.

“It is a unit set up by the BVIG to work in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Chambers with a modest but helpful goal of assisting with the mechanics of producing information requested by the Commission of Government officials.”

The statement also indicated that the Commissioner has written to the Attorney General to register his concerns about this publicity, and “asking for it to be corrected.”

“While the Commissioner welcomes the establishment of the IRU to help implement the BVIG’s expressed policy that all ministries, departments, statutory bodies and Government-owned entities provide appropriate and timely cooperation with the Inquiry, he wants to reassure members of the public, and public officers, that the IRU is wholly separate from the Commission. The Commission is, and will remain, entirely independent of the BVIG.”

Public cannot engage with Commission through IRU

The Commission reiterated that members of the public "cannot engage" with the Commission through the IRU and that if they wish to engage with the Commission, they should contact it directly.

“The Commission renews its open invitation to anyone who believes they have information that may assist the Inquiry, who has not yet submitted it to the Commission, to submit that information as soon as possible via the secure website portal (www.bvi.public-inquiry.uk). “

The Commission of Inquiry was announced on January 18, 2021 by controversial ex-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. 

Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom is the sole Commissioner.

21 Responses to “Public 'cannot engage' with Commission through IRU- CoI”

  • Mr Governor (04/03/2021, 17:58) Like (8) Dislike (16) Reply
    when your grandfather had tola people in 100 degree hot sun your fellow uk partners were happy because our slave labor assisted building the economy of Buckingham
    • AT MR.GOVERNOR (04/03/2021, 19:34) Like (35) Dislike (11) Reply
      THAT 400 YEARS AGO,LONG BEFORE I WAS BORN.TODAY I WITNESS BLACK BORN TOLIANS CALLED BLACK DOWN ISLAND PEOPLE,I-LAND-MAN,IN AN INSULTING AND SARCASTIC MANNER.I DIDNT FEEL SLAVERY.I FEEL INSULT TODAY IN BVI.
      • siboney (04/03/2021, 20:35) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
        Not so long ago if you called them Africans or Black they were insulted . Now calling them "island people" that is insulting. All this while they lead in the purchase and use of bleaching creams and the the murder rate as they kill their kith and kin.
        What do you call such creatures?
      • Hmm (04/03/2021, 20:51) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
        And what down Island people call Tolians especially when they have been good to them.
      • @AT MR. Governor (04/03/2021, 21:41) Like (44) Dislike (2) Reply
        Black down Island people have many derogative names to call the Black Born BVIslander. Some people could dish out what they do not like for themselves.
      • the rock (05/03/2021, 03:59) Like (1) Dislike (19) Reply
        You sound like a house slave, go sit down!
      • YOU (06/03/2021, 09:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Why do you shut your as * up.
  • bvi (04/03/2021, 18:07) Like (6) Dislike (13) Reply
    Let them racist self go sit down
  • facts (04/03/2021, 18:28) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Don't see where the confusion is. We can read and understand. Commissionet playing smart
    • Funny (04/03/2021, 21:31) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      the government are now trying to muddy the waters by doing this. It is a probelm when they state
      "The IRU will also assist Ministers and public officers to understand their duties in relation to the Inquiry,” the press release had informed.

      their duty is to report any wrongdoing to the COI nothing to do with the government IRU....
  • Xxx (04/03/2021, 20:32) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    The racist coi has ran out of things to say god is good all the time
  • @bvi (04/03/2021, 20:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lord, how u sound like Claude so. Lol, Lol.
  • trrefdrfds (04/03/2021, 23:31) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    Black people remember judas was a nigga like his brother he betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.......reality flash. ...ask the jews there tell u ...he was a nigga that why there despise christianity and hate black ...but the white he also to but twitched the concept in his image and support of his wicked intentions....to misled the truth form the people there deceiving every day so is u house slave....judas he was a brother like Lucifer
  • trrefdrfds (04/03/2021, 23:36) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    House slave...judas and . Lucifer one thing there all got in common is there betrayed the same good of that one intentions of the most high........
  • trrefdrfds (04/03/2021, 23:38) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Them white people do anything to not be ruled by blacks again bio ...but little do thete kno
  • facts (05/03/2021, 08:22) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    the COI is a set up, not sure why the government choose to cooperate with them set of racist oppressors tying to suspend the bvi constitution
  • COI > (05/03/2021, 08:39) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    Commission of Inquiry is already establish the government trying its best to make the people think that its a racist or bad thing for the BVI when is not! i said it once ill say it again if you haven't spent the TAX payers money in a conflict of interest way with families, allies in a dishonest way. them nothing to fear.. they can't cancel nor suspend our constitution if there is no corruption!
  • Yoga (05/03/2021, 09:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply

    Why does the governor employ a South African yoga teacher to work in his office???!

    • Queen Anne (05/03/2021, 15:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Possibly because he is an equal opportunity employer and possibly because the skills of this certified professional and experienced yoga teacher has been guaranteed and proven.
  • @COI> (07/03/2021, 07:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    tou got it right / the pretender that all the fake blogging is not going to work on everyone and as the saying goes / a guilty conscience needs no accuser


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