Registrar of Interests Mrs Clearlie Brown-Turnbull, right, told the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) that all 15 House of Assembly (HoA) Members were in 100% compliance in instances where declarations by Members were due in 2021. Photo: VINO/GIS/File

Last year, 2021, the Commissioner of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom, used the Register of Interests Act in an attempt to embarrass Members of the HoA for non-compliance. Photo: VINO/File

The Commission of Inquiry was called by former Governor of the Virgin Islands Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert, left, who was accused of shouting on Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, and was also accused of attempting to bully the democratically elected Government of the Virgin Islands as well as the House of Assembly. Photo: VINO/GIS/File

Mrs Brown-Turnbull was at the time testifying before the SFC on the 2022 Budget Estimates.

She further told the SFC that “a meeting was held with the HoA Standing Select Committee with the Registrar, by the invitation of the Chair” who is the Premier Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

The former Human Resources Officer told the committee that “the aim was to discuss various actions that would be essential in assisting Members of the HoA with complying with the mandates of the Register of Interests Act”.

Review of the process

According to the SFC report made public earlier this month, “they also discussed training, revision of the Declaration of Interests form and reviewing the Register of Interests Act”.

The Registrar of Interest noted that she had started a review of the Declaration of Interests form and was anticipating engaging with other stakeholders in the near future.

When asked by the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), if there are plans to put the declaration form online for easy access, Mrs Brown-Turnbull responded in the affirmative.

CoI not in VI’s best interest

The public would have recalled last year the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), which was called by the controversial and who some labelled as ‘racist’ Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka ‘Gus’, used the Register of Interests Act in an attempt to embarrass Members of the HoA for non-compliance.

Many residents see the CoI as a mob based on race and power trying to invade and take over the Territory because the former Governor, Jaspert, was not allowed to violate the Virgin Islands’ Constitution.

It was brought out in the Inquiry that there was friction between Mr Jaspert and Premier Fahie.

Mr Jaspert, who was accused of shouting on Premier Fahie, was also accused of attempting to bully the democratically elected Government of the Virgin Islands as well as the House of Assembly.