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Vanterpool, Speaker hire lawyers for Judicial Review

Initially set for 9:30 am, the Judicial Review over the saga surrounding House of Assembly (HoA) Speaker, Hon Julian Willock and District 4 Representative-Elect Mark H. Vanterpool over the D4 seat, has been delayed until 11:00 am. Photo: VINO
Lawyers for both Mr Vanterpool and Speaker Willock outside the courtyard, including Mr Valston Graham, current Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), St Kitts and Nevis (first left) and Queen’s Counsel, Edwards H. Fitzgerald (second left). Photo: Team of Reporters
Lawyers for both Mr Vanterpool and Speaker Willock outside the courtyard, including Mr Valston Graham, current Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), St Kitts and Nevis (first left) and Queen’s Counsel, Edwards H. Fitzgerald (second left). Photo: Team of Reporters
Lawyers for the HoA Speaker, Hon Julian Willock huddled in a conversation. Photo: Team of Reporters
Lawyers for the HoA Speaker, Hon Julian Willock huddled in a conversation. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Initially set for 9:30 am today April 12, 2019, the Judicial Review over the saga surrounding House of Assembly (HoA) Speaker, Hon Julian Willock and District 4 Representative-Elect, Mark H. Vanterpool—over the D4 seat—has been delayed until 11:00 am because both sides were arguing on some procedural arrangements.

Mr Vanterpool, who maintains that he should be sworn into the HoA despite submitting a resignation letter that the Speaker has since accepted, hired Defence Attorney Patrick D. Thompson to represent him, in addition to Queen’s Counsel, Edwards H. Fitzgerald.

The genesis of Mr Vanterpool’s arguments is that the resignation was not addressed to the Speaker, hence it is invalid; making him still eligible for the D4 HoA seat to which the Speaker has declined to swear him into the House.

Both parties have agreed to move the matter to the court to have it settled.

With Justice Ann Marie-Smith presiding over the case, Hon Willock and Mr Valterpool both have a team of Attorneys to lead their defence.

Vanterpool Vs HoA

The Speaker has retained the services of a law firm and representing the Virgin Islands (VI) HoA is a team of four lawyers including Anand Ramlogan SC, former Attorney General (AG) of Trinidad & Tobago along with Jared Jagroo. Mr Valston Graham, current Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), St Kitts and Nevis is the owner of the law firm hired by the HoA.

This is a developing story and Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) will update it as new information emerges.

17 Responses to “Vanterpool, Speaker hire lawyers for Judicial Review”

  • $$$??? (12/04/2019, 11:42) Like (30) Dislike (19) Reply
    Great. I look at the territory's schools and think, "Where could that money be better spent?" What is all this preening by the esteemed one going to cost the taxpayers?
    • mildred (12/04/2019, 12:35) Like (16) Dislike (37) Reply
      the esteem is not worse than any one else .so what? all of us pay taxes .he pay taxes too ..shut up and have a seat .u hater
    • Blame Mark (12/04/2019, 12:45) Like (22) Dislike (16) Reply
      He is the cause of all this mess.
    • The (12/04/2019, 13:03) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      You can by having an office on vg handles matters line tola office does, save the people thrm money by coming over herr while creating jobs snd more income for vg
  • @$$$??? (12/04/2019, 12:30) Like (17) Dislike (14) Reply
    It won't cost us a thing in comparison to the millions and millions the last administration has us paying back (customs lawsuits, BVI airways hand outs, project mismanagement, loans, etc) and we weren't hearing nobody complaining. Let justice clarify this whole debacle where nothing will be hidden from the public
  • ATotal waste (12/04/2019, 13:17) Like (23) Dislike (16) Reply
    This is a total waste of money time and energy. VIP leadership disappointed me. Mark is going to win easily..Then what? Appeal. Hmmm.. We didn't need this.
  • The Reaper (12/04/2019, 13:50) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Be Quietl $$$???
  • RA (12/04/2019, 17:01) Like (4) Dislike (14) Reply
    Willock attorney jaming
  • Patrick fan (12/04/2019, 17:17) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Patrick is exceptionally bright and this should be interesting. I also believe it is a phenomenal waste of resources at a time when they could very well be put to a more productive use in the interest of the Territory.
  • 123 (12/04/2019, 18:02) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    Willock is on the right track we will all be better off
  • wize up (12/04/2019, 20:13) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    will this matter take 7.2 mil
  • Luvz (13/04/2019, 04:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The court will rule that while the intent to resign is clear it was invalid and Mr Vanterpool should take his rightful place and sworn in as the 4th electoral representative.
  • my two cents (13/04/2019, 07:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mark needs Togo back angulla
    • Elementary (13/04/2019, 21:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      And you sir/ma’am, need to go back to Stage 1 to learn to read, write and spell.


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