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Speaker Willock scolded Governor Jaspert over 3 unassented Bills!

-Reads from historical 1967 document during Speaker’s announcement on November 5, 2020
Speaker of the House, Hon Julian Willock escorting the Governor to deliver the Speech from the Throne. Photo: GIS
Governor Augustus J.U Jaspert preparing to deliver the Speech from the Throne, on the right in Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr and Wife. Photo: GIS
Governor Augustus J.U Jaspert preparing to deliver the Speech from the Throne, on the right in Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr and Wife. Photo: GIS
Speaker of the House, Hon Julian Willock introducing the Governor to thee members of Virgin Islands Youth Parliament (VIYP) including Shadow Premier Kevin S. Fahie, current Miss BVI Bria A. Smith and Kevon S. Lettsome. Photo: GIS
Speaker of the House, Hon Julian Willock introducing the Governor to thee members of Virgin Islands Youth Parliament (VIYP) including Shadow Premier Kevin S. Fahie, current Miss BVI Bria A. Smith and Kevon S. Lettsome. Photo: GIS
Governor Augustus J.U Jaspert inspecting a Guard of Honour before giving the Speech from the Throne. Photo: GIS
Governor Augustus J.U Jaspert inspecting a Guard of Honour before giving the Speech from the Throne. Photo: GIS
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - Moments before the embattled Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert delivered his final Speech from the Throne at the First Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on Thursday, November 5, 2020, Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Julian Willock scolded him over Bills in his possession, that are yet to be assented.

Hon Willock using his HoA privilege under Speakers announcements, told elected members and residents that, “I must also bring to your attention once more that we have three Bills still not assented to by the Governor, and I have still to be given a plausible reason from His Excellency, as to why”.

The Speaker then went on to state the three Bills and dates they were passed, including what dates they were sent to Governor Jaspert, who is scheduled to leave the Territory prematurely in a matter of weeks.

3 bills stuck on governor's desk!

According to the Speaker, the outstanding bills are, “the Advance Passenger Information Act, 2020, which was passed in the House on 16th June 2020. This Act was sent to the Governor's Office on 1st July 2020.”

The other two bills are, “The VI Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020, which was passed on 30th June 2020 and sent to Governor's Office on 27th July 2020; and, the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) (Amendment) Act, 2020, which was passed on 2nd July 2020 and sent to Governor's Office on 27th July 2020”.

History

The Speaker also quoted excerpts from the Minutes and Order of the Day from the first-ever Speech from the Throne which took place on June 15, 1967, and was delivered by then Administrator John S. Thompson.

The Speaker of the House at that time was H. O. Creque with H. Lavity Stoutt serving as Chief Minister and member for the First District.

We are equals- Hon Willock to Governor

It is unclear why the three Bills were not assented to by Governor Jaspert, as calls to Government House were not returned up to publication time.

This is not the first time Hon Willock and the Governor have clashed, local media reported that in a leaked October letter written by the Speaker to the Governor, Mr Jaspert was allegedly warned to ‘watch his tone in the way he writes to him [Hon Willock]’.

In the same leaked letter, it was also alleged that the Speaker highlighted that both men are equals under the VI constitution, in which the Governor is head of the Executive Branch and the Speaker is the head of the Legislative branch in the Virgin Islands.

20 Responses to “Speaker Willock scolded Governor Jaspert over 3 unassented Bills!”

  • Really (07/11/2020, 17:23) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why he not assisting the bill smh
    • Really (07/11/2020, 18:51) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      you want him to make a bill that allows weed to be grown for medical use only when he knows other strains will be grown and sold, grow up no body is putting in orders when they have excess crop in the USA and Canada.
  • Esteemed right for once (07/11/2020, 18:26) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    The Guv won’t sign the cannabis law because he is worried it will effect his chances of getting a national security role when he is sent back to the UK in Jan.
  • My girl (07/11/2020, 18:59) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Gus in the news too much, we don't wat to see and hear from him
  • one eye (07/11/2020, 19:04) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply
    So happy he leaving he still has not apologise
  • 231 (07/11/2020, 21:18) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Scolded? Come on VINO don't be so dramatic. Are we talking about a child here?
    • @ 231 (07/11/2020, 23:38) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply
      He needs scolding for real he thinks we forget his racist and insensitive statements?
  • ta ta (07/11/2020, 22:02) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    Hope the new governor knows not to mess with we people
  • good riddance (07/11/2020, 22:11) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    A breath of fresh air that this is Jaspert last speech hope the new governor signs the bills
  • tgfdgrft (07/11/2020, 22:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
  • Attention!!! (07/11/2020, 23:56) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    And we will continue to pretend the speaker wig is not distracting.
    Why not get an afro wig
  • Intent (08/11/2020, 04:48) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    It clear the guv personally intend to sabotage the government and it economy....over self petty
    • @ intent (08/11/2020, 11:23) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      we will not let him do it! we will fight him in the hills of the bvi, on the beaches and in the public domain

      Jespert is bad news for the democratically elected government and the wishes and aspirations of a people
  • islander (08/11/2020, 07:05) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    The speaker needs to stop wearing that foolishness on his head, how anyone is going to take him serious looking like a wannabe English gentleman which he is not. A man wearing a wig is colonial foolishness. We have our own identity. Get Rid of that rug on your head man. Scolding Governor what? The Governor is who he is, and will remain that until he leaves. What about bringing back the death penalty for murderers, what about very stiff sentences for illegal firearms...send these bills up.
  • Blackbeauty (08/11/2020, 07:29) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    after the governor's statement on racist killers symbols remaining up around the BVI Fahie and Willock still let him into the people's house. These men to soft so I don't want to hear a thing.

    That is why the Governor feels no need to apologize
  • Windy (08/11/2020, 11:24) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    Willock going to turn out to be one of the Best and most Professional Speakers we have even had; but dread that Wig must go...
  • lol (08/11/2020, 12:46) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    My run need to start wearing a wig to cover his baldhead but not one looking like a mop
  • Xxx (09/11/2020, 15:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    hope the new governor is much better than Gus


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