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A Caucasian DPP? Front runners emerge for VI’s DPP post

- Officials tight-lipped on who was recommended by the Legal & Judicial Commission to replace current Director of Public Prosecutions, Trinidad & Tobago national Wayne L. Rajbansie
Crown prosecutors Valston M. Graham (left) and Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit (right) reportedly made the short-list of five for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) post. Photo: Facebook/VINO/File
Patrick Thompson (left) is one of three persons from the Virgin Islands who made the short-list of five for the DPP post being vacated by Wayne L. Rajbansie (right). Photo: VINO/File
Patrick Thompson (left) is one of three persons from the Virgin Islands who made the short-list of five for the DPP post being vacated by Wayne L. Rajbansie (right). Photo: VINO/File
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Wickham's Cay 1. Photo: VINO
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Wickham's Cay 1. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was this news site that first and accurately reported in April of this year that the contract of current Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Trinidad and Tobago national Wayne L. Rajbansie will not be renewed as his last day in office is expected to be August 15, 2016.

The post was then advertised and, according to our newsroom’s senior National Democratic Party (NDP) sources, there was a “flood of applications, many from overseas, including the United Kingdom and as far as Australia….”

However, the many applicants were shot listed to five.

The Legal and Judicial Commission, the body responsible for conducting the interviews, is about to make a recommendation to Governor John S. Duncan OBE following the interviews last week.

Who made short list?

According to the same NDP source, three persons from the Virgin Islands made the list including two from the office of the DPP Valston M. Graham and Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit. Additionally, Defense Attorney Patrick Thompson, who also applied and was interviewed, reportedly made the final five.

It is also reported that the other two on the short list of five were Caucasians from overseas who were interviewed via phone link.

When our newsroom called our senior NDP sources moments ago they reported that they had not received all the information up to publication time, however, “from the five there was a further short list and it’s down to two persons and one is [allegedly] a Caucasian.”

The source confirmed that a recommendation is on its way to the United Kingdom appointed Governor Duncan.

Rajbansie out!

Meanwhile, the current DPP Rajbansie’s four year tenue in the Virgin Islands (VI) has been mixed with wins of some high profiled cases as well as some knock out by others.

It was a low point for Mr Rajbansie and his Office when on Friday July 24, 2015 some six media houses in the VI were summoned by him to appear before the criminal court with charges and complaints unknown.

Many in the legal fraternity, civil society, the political class and the media labeled his actions as abuse of power. It was also unfortunate that during his rant in court on the same day, he singled out Virgin Islands News Online; however, Mr Rajbansie could not explain the reason in court for such a reckless attack.

Locals anyone?

For the past ten years plus, the post of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has never been filled by a local. Prior to Rajbansie being in Office, Ms Elizabeth Hinds, a native of Guyana, was appointed DPP, but her stint was short lived. She came in June 2010 and departed in August 2012.

Before Ms Hinds, another non-national- Terrence Williams, a native of Jamaica, held the post for a number of years. Mr Williams' contract ended in January 2010.

Mr Williams, who has since moved back to his native Jamaica, was regarded highly by the legal fraternity in the Virgin Islands and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

However, earlier this year Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), called for a local to be considered for the post, as the seasoned politician believes there are locals who can do the job.

43 Responses to “A Caucasian DPP? Front runners emerge for VI’s DPP post”

  • 1 (07/06/2016, 14:31) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ting to talk
    • Can't believe that Tiff even applied (07/06/2016, 17:11) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
      she must live in another world
      • low point (07/06/2016, 19:49) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
        The low point was his decision to abandon the prosecution of the drugs offenses that Redhead said must be prosecuted in the BVI. He hoped that the extradition would be successful second time around, but when he failed again he was forced to concede that he could not prosecute in the BVI - result that suspected drugs runners avoid any prosecution anywhere. Hopelessly naive and out of his depth.
      • 911 (07/06/2016, 20:21) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        Why all this secrecy?
  • aswa (07/06/2016, 14:35) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Vino ayo bad meshon
  • Hmm (07/06/2016, 14:42) Like (24) Dislike (14) Reply
    I'll take Patrick or one of the Caucasians. Definitely not Scatliffe nor Graham.
  • Dragon (07/06/2016, 14:49) Like (43) Dislike (2) Reply
    Yellow,pink, green, blue, who cares what color they are as long as they can do a good job?
    • @ Dragon (07/06/2016, 20:34) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
      I disagree with you. If one choose to be in public life/a politician a senior civil servant he/she must expect to come under public scrutiny and as such should answer/ disclose questions of race, qulifications and in some cases position on things ever what you think is priviate
    • Readthebook (09/06/2016, 13:10) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Dragon, you don't care what colour he or she is because you don't know your History.
      If you knew your history, you wouldn't want him or her to be yellow, pink, green, blue or white.
      A person making a key decision should think about the past, the present and the future.
      Anyone thinking about the past and the future would arrive at the best choice in the present
      when choosing the person for the Office of the DPP. Let us learn to see beyond June, 2016.
      Let us learn to think whether our choices today would have any negative effects on our country tomorrow.
      Trust me, we don't need no Caucasian in the Office of the DPP. We don't care what the Governor said. We
      trust the Judicial and Legal Committee is laced with ethical and legal sense.
  • bvi (07/06/2016, 15:28) Like (17) Dislike (13) Reply
    Not Thompson, please!!!
  • Online Now (07/06/2016, 15:47) Like (30) Dislike (12) Reply
    I can only imagine the outrage in developed countries at such a headline! Why should the colour of someone's skin be a reason to hire or not hire? What next, based on religion? Sex?
    • @Online Now (07/06/2016, 20:29) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      ha ha go tell that to your racist Donald Trump fool
    • YELLOWMAN (09/06/2016, 13:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Online Now, why shouldn't the colour of someone's skin matter in the Virgin Islands, eh? When that is foremost on the agenda when some ex pats buy land, build houses, staff their businesses? Oh, we must continue to be the moo-moos of the island and let the white man pull fast ones on us all the time. Boss, we are reading now and we understand the past, and we will hoist our sails and chart our own destiny. Don't arse us up, you know. Don't mistake our humility for weakness. I tired of people trying to tell us about colour blind, that time they behind our backs planning our demise. The story start already, Boss. Look at the blogs and get an idea. We will not be blinded with the 'Bible' again. When it is necessary, raise the 'race' card, yes. We know the Edomites have a plan and Kunta Kintae is still alive and will never die.
  • good move (07/06/2016, 15:55) Like (22) Dislike (4) Reply
    He's always by rum bar 42nd street east end drinking and getting drunk. And another police officer always by the same gambling cards & domino . For money. They are some waste of our tax paying money.
    • to Good Move (08/06/2016, 11:16) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      So you are saying that these people are not allowed to go out and spend their hard working money. Do you the stress of these jobs. Of course not. The same ones you are talking about, have never let what they do in their leisure time affect their work as far as we know. At least they don't hide like some people. They have lives too and they need to unwind like the rest of us, Go sit down some where, please.
    • Reddzz (12/06/2016, 08:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Now what the hell that got to do whith you ?? You people F%%%$G sicken and jude mental this aman personal life >> SMFH, GTFOH.. done
  • just asking... (07/06/2016, 15:59) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why would pratick want this work?
  • @ just asking.... (07/06/2016, 16:35) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The fact the he applied suggest he wants it
    • i from here (07/06/2016, 20:30) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The DPP post is still considered a powerful job in the BVI. Walk good.
  • pat (07/06/2016, 16:43) Like (2) Dislike (13) Reply
    IN THE END THEY WILL GO WITH THE WHITE MAN TRUST ME
  • bam (07/06/2016, 17:07) Like (16) Dislike (7) Reply
    We want Patrick or Graham.......certainly not SCATLIFFE......Patrick is my number 1.
  • Artist (07/06/2016, 17:42) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vino always have the inside scoop .....what we going do with them?
  • patrick (07/06/2016, 19:17) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    Patrick alllllllllllll the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy PLEASE GOD NOT NOT TIFUNNY
  • Road Town Rebel (07/06/2016, 20:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    why don't we become a mature democracy so we all know whats what?
  • censor (07/06/2016, 20:16) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The truth is that the BVI will never make a significant dent into corruption if we parse and hypocritically select what should be disclosed.
  • Hog Plum (07/06/2016, 20:24) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    THE DPP office has become a side show! the focus is to create a procedural structure bounded by laws that everyone must follow.
  • warts (07/06/2016, 21:39) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply

    we don't want another pumpus j@=-*ck*$$.....

  • B Savage (07/06/2016, 22:20) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Down to 2 and one is a CAUCASIAN? We know how this one going. Oh boy here we go you all gone learn today.
  • Londontimes.com (07/06/2016, 22:36) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    BREAKING NEWS: VINO u got this one wrong. A St. Lucian National and UK Citizen maybe tipped to be the new DPP in VI. The vetting process for the post of DPP in the VI has been completed by the Legal and Judicial Service Commission also a couple of out the UK was interviewed and the female high profile lawyer in the UK who is a St. Lucian by birth and UK Citizen working in the UK in the FCO is among the front runners and may have well been tipped to be the DPP, she is not white. Her husband is also an Attorney with a Doctorate Degree and may be willing to relocate with his wife if she is chosen to be the DPP. Stay tune to the times to get more information as it comes out. We will bring it to u.
    • Soundsgood (08/06/2016, 08:58) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      I hope, Londontimes, that your information is credible. The Judicial and Legal Committee better don't bring no white person to fill the post of DPP. We need to stop this piss about putting white ex pats in key positions in the Virgin Islands. Can any of our black locals go to the UK and get any position? First they see the colour of their skin. We can't get no position there; we are not giving no UK national no top position here either. Listen, wize up. Stop this nonsense about even considering them. Those people always have hidden agenda. They can't help it. They were born under the Moon of deceit and clandestine-ness. Find a suitable local or Caribbean person. We found a good one in Williams; find another good one. Tiffany not ready. Graham more ready, but.....Please ensure that the DPP go to court and not sit down in office playing cute like that ole Rajpansie.
      • B Savage (08/06/2016, 12:43) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
        HUH? Of course the EDOMITE getting it the fix is in the powers laying the ground work for the invasion.
        • seethecrabs (09/06/2016, 13:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Here B Savage? And we are sitting down. Spirit of the Long Lookians and of Jump, arise and prepare because we are not going to be enslaved again. Never, never!
  • . (08/06/2016, 08:14) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Anything to bring back decency and decorum to that office. Has been a poppy show for too long. Bias.
  • Myo (08/06/2016, 08:20) Like (13) Dislike (10) Reply
    Graham is the Best choice..
    • Yesdeskes (08/06/2016, 09:03) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
      I second the motion; Graham is the better choice. With a little social polishing, he good to go. He is not puffed up with foolish pride. But, Lord, that wouldn't go down well with Tfunny. But sometimes honest people should be very realistic. He is more qualified than she is.
  • ta ta (08/06/2016, 13:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We do not want the DPP office to become more political


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