Vanterpool hauling Speaker to Court; Hearing Date Set
April 1st Demands
In a media release late Tuesday afternoon, Mr Vanterpool—who was present for today’s HoA sitting—further said that through his attorneys, they tried to force House Speaker Julian Willock to have him sworn into the HoA on April 1, 2019, however, Hon Willock did not accede to his demands.
“Yesterday, 1st April 2019, through my attorneys, I sought a response from the Speaker to my request to be sworn in my letter to him on March 14th, 2019, in keeping with Section 67 (3) (a) of the Virgin Islands Constitution."
Mr Vanterpool continued, “My attorneys further advised the Speaker that should he not accede to my request by 2:00 pm yesterday April 1st, 2019, I would seek further redress on the matter.”
He said on the evening of April 1, 2019, the legal team also, “asked the High Court for an injunction to delay the House meeting to allow me to be able to participate on behalf of my constituents in the Fourth District, in the Budget process,” however, that too did not materialise.
Injunction not granted
“The House proceeded today and the Speaker refused to swear me in. In addition, my attorneys filed for judicial review on the whole matter and considering the urgency, the High Court granted a hearing date for Wednesday 10th April 2019,” Mr Vanterpool said while noting that Her Ladyship, Vicky Ellis heard the request to delay the HoA and was minded not to grant the injunction.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, my people of the Fourth, I am still hopeful that this matter would be resolved without delay and therefore allow me some time to participate in the Budgetary proceedings, having been sworn into my rightful place in the House of Assembly,” Mr Vanterpool implored.
The saga over the District 4 seat has its genesis in a resignation letter Mr Vanterpool submitted to the HoA on March 5, 2019, which was later recanted on March 14, 2019, citing incorrect resignation procedure.
Court will decide
Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) Mr Augustus J.U Jaspert later said that the resignation was indeed invalid, however, despite this, Speaker Willock has maintained that the resignation was accepted and has refused to swear Mr Vanterpool into the HoA, instead opting to move to court to have the matter settled.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
25 Responses to “Vanterpool hauling Speaker to Court; Hearing Date Set ”
Whether the court rules in his favour or not he should learn that his irresponsible actions have consequences. I hope he loses the case.
I hope that the costs of his represented is. It being paid by the tax payer - the AG has already told him that he is going to lose.
Who is acting for The Action Man? Presumably not Gerry who has previously acted for the Esteemed - but won’t want to act for him again without full and proper ‘instructikns’ The Esteemed won’t instruct the AG and may go to Jamal (who acted in the disasterous libel case).
.
WE NEED PEOPLE WHO GONA
PUT THEIR FOOT DOWN