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VI Gov’t retains Withers law firm & UK MP C. Geoffrey Cox QC for CoI

- Premier Fahie says move is to merely ensure transparency
The VI Government has retained international law firm Withers in the BVI and London, together with leading counsel, the Right Honourable Sir Geoffrey Cox QC MP for the Upcoming Commission of Inquiry (CoI). Photo: Internet Source
The CoI was announced by outgoing Governor Augustus J.U. Jasper, as a parting gift to the Fahie administration, after years of alleged political interference into the affairs of local government and now new accusations of questionable governance practices and victimisation in the Fahie Government. Photo: VINO/File
The CoI was announced by outgoing Governor Augustus J.U. Jasper, as a parting gift to the Fahie administration, after years of alleged political interference into the affairs of local government and now new accusations of questionable governance practices and victimisation in the Fahie Government. Photo: VINO/File
In 2014, Mr Charles Geoffrey Cox, QC (in photo) successfully defended the former Premier and current Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands, William McKeeva Bush, on charges of corruption and misuse of office. Photo: Advisory Excellence
In 2014, Mr Charles Geoffrey Cox, QC (in photo) successfully defended the former Premier and current Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands, William McKeeva Bush, on charges of corruption and misuse of office. Photo: Advisory Excellence
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said in an effort to ‘merely ensure transparency,’ his administration has retained international law firm Withers in the Virgin Islands (VI) and London, together with leading counsel, the Right Honourable Sir Charles Geoffrey Cox QC MP for the Upcoming Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

The CoI was announced by outgoing Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert, as a parting gift to the ruling administration, after years of alleged political interference into the affairs of local government and now new accusations of questionable governance practices and victimisation in the Fahie Government.

A statement from the Government said that the law firm, together with Hon Cox; a recent former Attorney General of England and Wales, will “ensure a transparent process and to advise upon issues arising from this decision by the Governor in this matter and upon all matters relating to the Commission of Inquiry.”

"Pleased with Legal representation" - Hon Fahie 

Premier Fahie said Hon Cox was retained because “he is Lawyer of great experience.”

“I am pleased that the Government of the Virgin Islands will have Withers to advise Government - in particular the expertise of Rt Honourable Sir Geoffrey Cox, MP with his extensive legal knowledge and professional experience regarding Overseas Territories,” the Premier said in the release.

A statement on the legal representation noted that Section 12 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1880, as amended, provides that persons or entities that have a concern in the inquiry or who are the subject of the inquiry, shall be entitled to have legal representation in the proceedings.

The new announcement comes as news surfaced that Governor Jaspert 'directed' that the meetings of CoI be held in private and away from public scrutiny, in stark contrast to government's bid of having the inquiry broadcasted live in its entirety across media platforms and the internet to ensure transparency since the VI's reputation is on the line.

Who is Charles Geoffrey Cox, QC?

Mr Charles Geoffrey Cox, according to Wikipedia, is a British Conservative Party politician and barrister serving as Member of Parliament (MP) for Torridge and West Devon since the 2005 general election. Cox worked as a barrister from 1982 onwards and was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 2003, two years before his election to Parliament.

On 9 July 2018, he was appointed Attorney General by then Prime Minister Theresa M. May; however, he was dismissed by current UK PM Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson in February 2020.

Mr Cox was knighted in the 2021 New Year Honours for parliamentary and political service.

Notably, in 2014, Cox successfully defended the former Premier and current Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands, William McKeeva Bush, on charges of corruption and misuse of office.

Mr Bush had described the charges against him at the time as part of a "political witch hunt" led by then Governor Duncan J. R. Taylor and Members of the Opposition.

19 Responses to “VI Gov’t retains Withers law firm & UK MP C. Geoffrey Cox QC for CoI”

  • jah (21/01/2021, 14:20) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    God have mercy for "Nature's little secret."
    • The AG's office (21/01/2021, 14:50) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
      What role will the attorney general office play,,,, They have an office full of lawyers,. This will be the true test for them to step up and show their worth,,,,,
      • none (21/01/2021, 17:55) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
        This is above their pay grade.
      • Donald trump (22/01/2021, 01:59) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
        This AG doesn’t have much experience presenting issues before the courts. This matter is far too important for the BVI and requires a seasoned, and and most importantly, skilled attorney. Andrew made the right choice to seek outside counsel.
  • What the Hell! (21/01/2021, 14:30) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Looks like the BVI is screwed, front and back!
  • Really (21/01/2021, 14:38) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thats $1million to check his Privy council buddy is doing a job that he will do without predujice or malice but the taxpayers have to foot the bill...
  • I approve (21/01/2021, 14:40) Like (9) Dislike (20) Reply
    Well Played Fahie... well played :) .... Play chess not checkers!
  • WHAT!!! (21/01/2021, 14:44) Like (45) Dislike (6) Reply
    1. At what cost to the tax payers? 2. If nothing has been done wrong why need of representation?
    • Windy (21/01/2021, 15:58) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
      good move Fhaie do not trust the devil
    • bvi (22/01/2021, 10:23) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      @WHAT!!!
      You don't have to do wrong for people to fight you down...Not because we are small, we stay and let people beat us down, we have to always be prepared for the enemy. These are not the days when we were called a "bird sanctuary". We must stand together as a Nation and protect ourselves. Africa which was known as the sleeping giant is now starting to wake-up , so they grabbing at straws trying to pick on the smaller nations.
  • right (21/01/2021, 14:46) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    On the right foot.
  • W*F (21/01/2021, 15:07) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Fill me in; the ting in start yet and we looking legal representation BUT that is a good thing BECAUSE one should not carry a screwdriver to a gunfight

  • egg face (21/01/2021, 15:13) Like (12) Dislike (44) Reply
    The governor is evil he must be stopped
  • Smart moves (21/01/2021, 19:49) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a good move. Cox is a savvy operator and one who was cast out by the current UK administration. Not that he will have a particular axe to grind but you can count on his doing a good job for the VI without fear or favour. To add to that, I am quite sure the presiding judge will be taking his role very seriously so where there is actions being reviewed that are to be vindicated, he will do so. Privy Court judges have a robust history or fact driven impartiality and that’s actually one of the key seeking points of BVI and UK companies- the robust and tested rule of law as compared to say China, France, Russia, Brazil or the US.
    To above, surely they will liaise with our AG office where appropriate but remember our AG, wonderful as she is, is family to people whose actions are being reviewed.
  • Jackie Long (21/01/2021, 22:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeah they did it.
  • Ques (22/01/2021, 06:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who is the law firm going to defend? Hope it will be all the accused.
  • Stan the Man (22/01/2021, 09:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    More of our tax dollars at work!
  • If you live in a glass house don’t throw stones. (22/01/2021, 17:24) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    You kept balling you want COI. Now it’s here don’t panic. You have been pleading for it. It just happens now to include the wall the plane and more.
  • Principle (23/01/2021, 09:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When we learn what is protocols and principle we would do a lot better.


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