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VI snubbed from anti-corruption summit in London

- snubbing comes as a surprise in wake of Panama Papers scandal
Right: Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith. The Virgin Islands, along with Panama, was not invited to the first worldwide anti-corruption summit in London this week. Photo: VINO/File
United Kingdom Prime Minister, David Cameron hosted the anti-corruption summit in London, with US Secretary of State John Kerry (left). Photo: Getty Images
United Kingdom Prime Minister, David Cameron hosted the anti-corruption summit in London, with US Secretary of State John Kerry (left). Photo: Getty Images
The Virgin Islands was not invited to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting with the United States of America’s 44th President, Barack H. Obama on April 9, 2015. Photo: Photo: ctvnews.ca
The Virgin Islands was not invited to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting with the United States of America’s 44th President, Barack H. Obama on April 9, 2015. Photo: Photo: ctvnews.ca
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- On the heels of the Panama Papers and the Virgin Islands and the international attacks on the Virgin Islands’ financial services industry, it has come as a major surprise that the Virgin Islands, along with Panama, was not invited to the first worldwide anti-corruption summit in London this week.

Both countries indicated they would not have been attending because they were not invited.

Following the Panama Papers scandal, where 11 million documents leaked from law firm Mossack Fonseca revealed the names and company details of those with offshore investments situated in so-called tax havens, the Virgin Islands and other financial services jurisdictions came in for malicious attacks from the international press, with a BBC presenter even alleging that the Virgin Islands had built its new Peebles Hospital from ‘dirty money’.

British Prime Minister David Cameron was caught on microphone on May 10, 2016 saying that leaders of “fantastically corrupt” countries including Nigeria and Afghanistan will attend an anti-corruption summit in London this week.

He referred to “Nigeria and Afghanistan — possibly two of the most corrupt countries in the world.”

According to The Times of London, there are mixed views on whether both countries should have been invited to the summit. Robert Palmer, the campaign leader at Global Witness, said: "We think any country or territory that is obviously part of this problem should also be part of the solution."

However, Transparency International's Maggie Murphy warned that countries with poor records on corruption may water down the summit's agenda. "If Panama has not been invited, perhaps it is because of their stated interest in tackling corruption is not yet convincing enough," Murphy said.

Efforts to get a comment from Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith on the VI not being invited to the summit were futile.

The summit on May 12, 2016 brought together leaders of various countries who have committed to tackle corruption in their respective territories, including Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

VI was snubbed for CARICOM meeting with Barack H. Obama

This is not the first time the VI has been snubbed from attending a high level meeting.

While the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was meeting with the United States of America’s 44th President, Barack H. Obama, for a one-day important summit on April 9, 2015 the Virgin Islands (VI) and the other Associate members of the Caribbean Community had to sit out as they were not issued an invitation.

The VI is an Associate Member of CARICOM, along with Anguilla, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos Islands and Cayman Islands.

14 Responses to “VI snubbed from anti-corruption summit in London”

  • Cameron (13/05/2016, 10:17) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    "i don't want no corrupt leader in the UK"
  • Life as we knew it... (13/05/2016, 10:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Additional Info, view link:
    http://www.forbes.com/sites/riskmap/2016/05/13/anti-corruption-summit-focuses-on-the-enablers/#531411ff184e

  • vex (13/05/2016, 10:45) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    We are not respected abroad
  • Well Sah! (13/05/2016, 10:50) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    It seems like we are being placed further and further down these invitational lists, and now being deliberately left out of these high level meetings that can majorly affect us. I wonder why?
  • Online Now (13/05/2016, 11:06) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get ready, set, the pressure is on- view link: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/many-indians-invested-in-british-virgin-islands/articleshow/52256692.cms

  • simple (13/05/2016, 11:33) Like (1) Dislike (9) Reply
    This simply means we are not corrupt.... Would you invite a Pilot to a sailing expo??
  • the diplomats assistant (13/05/2016, 12:27) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    why would anyone want to go over there and do lunch with a bunch of international criminals hell bent on stealing
    everything from everyone everywhere, and then having the gaul to call that 'transparency' or 'anti-corruption'.
    what slime they are, especially the ring leaders the US and UK. Us ought get a big spanking....
  • african (13/05/2016, 12:37) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI needs a voice in the international community, wake up Doc!
    • wize up (14/05/2016, 15:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ African: Great Britain is BVI voice in the international community,....
  • Cayman (13/05/2016, 12:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    If what I read the other day is correct, Cayman Islands Premier is at that same meeting and has stated that no one will strong arm him to sign anything.
  • B Savage (13/05/2016, 13:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    After being so quiet & appeased you would think your EDOMITE masters would let you atleast let you sit at conference and discuss. NOPE! Not how EDOMITES move so TO THE BACK OF THE BUS BOYYYY!
  • egg face (13/05/2016, 23:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    oh well what elese is new?
  • Street reporter (14/05/2016, 09:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is no room in this world for nice guys. Especially as a leader. Those days done. Our premiere is too much of a nice guy. That's why we are on a dowm ward slide. Leaders have to be fair, honest, firm. And prepare to take the first bullets they shoot at his people..


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