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‘Something is wrong’ with Governor’s immunity in VI- Hon Fahie

-Points to system of no accountability as being out of touch with 21st century
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has questioned the immunity status of the seat of H.E. Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert aka 'Gus' in the Virgin Islands (VI), calling the system one that is too flawed to exist in the 21st century. Photo: GIS/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie in a passionate speech to the HoA reiterated that the system is flawed and needs to be addressed, while he issued a preverbal call for locals who are willing to stand up and recognize the imbalance. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Premier Andrew A. Fahie in a passionate speech to the HoA reiterated that the system is flawed and needs to be addressed, while he issued a preverbal call for locals who are willing to stand up and recognize the imbalance. Photo: HoA/Youtube
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has questioned the immunity status of the seat of H.E. Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert aka 'Gus' in the Virgin Islands (VI), calling the system one that is too flawed to exist in the 21st century.

“He doesn’t have any accountability at all, compared to an elected official. So that in itself tells me why this system is skewed,” Hon Fahie said during the January 5, 2021, House of Assembly (HoA) Sitting.

Governor is not audited locally – Premier Fahie

The Premier further said that the Governor has no reason to be accountable in the territory given that he is not audited, does not have to come to the HoA and does not have to answer to a constituency.

“Something is wrong when democracy only can be spoken to, and be administered to one side of the entity and not the other side,” Hon Fahie said.

According to Hon Fahie, people in the territory should question a system under which one person has no accountability when everyone else does.

“If the Premier goes down the street tomorrow and hit someone or slap [them], the Premier can be arrested. If the Governor goes down the road tomorrow hit somebody or slap... he is immune.”

The Premier illustrated that even when a bill passed in the HoA has not been assented to by the Governor, Legislators have almost no recourse but to accept any proposed changes of 'one man.' 

Flaws must be addressed – Premier Fahie

“Something is wrong and what is even more wrong, Mr Speaker… is that a lot of our people don’t even want us to address these things,” he said during the closing remarks of the debates on the proposed Disaster Management Act (2019).

Hon Fahie in his passionate speech to the HoA reiterated that the system is flawed and must be addressed, while he issued a preverbal call for locals who are willing to recognize the imbalance and speak out. 

28 Responses to “‘Something is wrong’ with Governor’s immunity in VI- Hon Fahie”

  • resident (09/01/2021, 16:29) Like (62) Dislike (12) Reply
    I have not seen such petty politics and whining in a long time. It's ridiculous. What's really the problem between the premier and the governor? The world is in a mess. Surely the premier has more pressing and important matters to deal with. Ah fed up! I've never seen this type of animosity between a premier and governor. What is going on?
    • Now you Know (09/01/2021, 16:55) Like (6) Dislike (34) Reply

      The governor is a r****t for starters

    • @resident (09/01/2021, 18:40) Like (20) Dislike (5) Reply
      What is going on is that this Governor is aware of what is going on and has "receipts".
      Sadly and revealing is that the faultfinders dig their grave deeper each time they attempt to discredit and malign,revealing a pathetic lack of intelligence and common sense.
    • @ resident (10/01/2021, 08:11) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      This little island nation needs repentance.

      You see the hate of Caucasians, people from OTHER Caribbean islands, and expats overall...others being blamed for everything they don’t agree with ...including blacks not liking black claiming they were taught to not like each other.

      Stop with the victim story and take accountability for your own wicked hearts and this is to who the caps fit ...I’m from right here and saying it!!!!!!!
  • not so fast (09/01/2021, 16:51) Like (36) Dislike (3) Reply
    Something is wrong with so-called Christians in Government constantly stirring up strife and division.
  • facts (09/01/2021, 16:56) Like (10) Dislike (22) Reply
    In 2021 it’s just not right I agree with the premier
    • Then that's one vote for independence... (10/01/2021, 10:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Which is the way to get out of this so-called predicament. Establish an army to defend the borders, beef up the external maritime security, start building systems to replace those currently overseen by Her Majesty's representative (the Governor), grow a pair and CUT the umbilical cord instead of bawling about 'unfair'.
  • Transparency (09/01/2021, 17:26) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Can't you by now that you are beating a dead horse? Save the Lashes for a live one.
    Yes, something is flawed, but it was flawed ever since it began hundreds of year ago. It is part of a supremist political system. Nothing will change until we first change. Go it?
  • bystander (09/01/2021, 17:27) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Governor is accountable to his masters in London under the constitutional settlement agreed between the UK and the Govt of the BVI. There is a separation between the activities of the elected government in the BVI and the supervisory/consultative role of HE the Governor. That’s because the BVI is an Overseas Territory of the UK and not an independent country like Haiti; yet any way.
  • w (09/01/2021, 17:39) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply

    THE W**** B** IS WRONG.

  • Diaspora 3D/360 (09/01/2021, 17:57) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Diplomat immunity is appropriate for something. But ignoring the protocols to prevent the spread of a deadly disease should not. Public officials should be leading the cause and be at the tip of the spear in regards to contain and prevent the spread of the deadly disease. There cannot and should not be two sets of laws, ie, one for the lil man and one for the big shots. No one is above the law. Hon Fahie, if the law is anachronistic to current times, work to change it. There is an upcoming constitutional review make this change an action item.
    • @Diaspora 3D/360 (09/01/2021, 18:48) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
      Were the protocols ignored ?
      OR
      Were the interpretation of the protocols misinterpreted AND misunderstood due to a lack of skill in reading and comprehension by the struggling "learned"group of our accusatory and shift the blame leaders.
      • @@Diaspora 3D/360 (10/01/2021, 11:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @@Diaspora 3D/360, “Were the interpretation of the protocols misinterpreted AND misunderstood due to a lack of skill in reading and comprehension by the struggling "learned"group of our accusatory and shift the blame leaders.” You asked if the protocols were or ignored and you also purported/suggested a lack of reading and comprehension in interpreting protocols. I want to Manda School under the “shock shock” tree but where did I say that anyone ignored? Sounds like a self-serving comment.
  • Mr. Premier (09/01/2021, 19:15) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
    AND A GOOD EVENING TO YOU MR. PREMIER. IF YOU HAVE THE WANT OR NEED TO KNOW SOMETHING, WHY DON’T YOU GO TO THE GOVERNOR DIRECTLY AND ASK HIM YOURSELF. AND, WHY ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT THE GOVERNOR IMMUNITY STATUS. LOOKS TO ME LIKE YOU ARE INTIMIDATED BY THE GOVERNOR OR YOU ARE TRYING TO HIDE SOMETHING THAT YOU DON’T WANT EXPOSED. STOP TRYING TO FAN THE FLAMES.
    • josiah'sbay (09/01/2021, 21:53) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Looks to me that you are enamored and with the Governor (UK) and as such whatever he does is okay. We all should be worried about the Governor's immunity status. No one or entity with those powers (UK) should have immunity particularly if it is self granted. It's a step back into slavery perhaps not physically but mentally, emotionally and spiritually. My opinion is that only a child or a fool would give up their rights as human for self determination to an external entity with cart blanche privileges'.
  • What’s up DUDE (09/01/2021, 19:22) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    YOU RUNNING SCURD? LOOKS LIKE IT TO ME. FOY RUNNING SCURD Y’ALL.
  • Common Sense (10/01/2021, 05:28) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Will tell anyone that if the Governor had anything on the Premier he would have release it already.
    • Nope... (10/01/2021, 10:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      This is where folks are seriously confused.
      The Governor is the QUEEN'S representative and accountable to HER MAJESTY and by extension, the Foreign Office and Her Majesty's loyal government.
      You release your findings to those you are accountable to, not to melee draggers. That is true of any job. Best believe all those letters being written between London and the BVI are compiled in a nice, big file...
  • Get Together (10/01/2021, 07:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Organize with your other overseas territories and move on common problems together. I think this is the way to go because most of these issues are not unique to the BVI.
  • Nothing is a wrong (10/01/2021, 07:25) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Too much time is spent focusing on the governor while the country sinking,,, Spend your time focusing on how to move forward,. How to create economic development in a safe way,,, we are losing our lovely hood to the USVI and down island the yachts and tourist are abandoning us ,, Stay focus on what's important,,,
  • WEW (10/01/2021, 11:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Again, Blame someone else for your faults
  • Really (10/01/2021, 14:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is wrong with you? The country needs help not these never ending petty squabbles. Help your people!
  • vi (10/01/2021, 15:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    so Andrew, are you saying that the elected government personnel should not be accountable, to the electorate, stop the noise man, the bvi is a uk overseas territory, blah blah blah, useless noise.
  • Ignorsnce (10/01/2021, 16:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a Territory under a monarch. It does not have three co-equal branches as some like to say in ignorance. The governor has the immunity of the monarch as her representative.
  • captain flint (10/01/2021, 18:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    So the biggest disease is going round the world killing people and Tortolans try to live life and keep safe and the biggest thing the Premier is worried about is the Governor is not elected like him. Maybe its because the British Government just wants someone they can trust.
  • Hmmm... (10/01/2021, 19:18) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Something is wrong with this governor. Period.


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