Alleged “shredded” documents found
Virgin Islands News Online has been reliably informed that the “files” were found and the former Private Secretary of former Minister for Communications and Works Julian Fraser, who was reportedly chased from her office for the accusation, was informed of the development.
According to a source close to the situation, the Private Secretary who was shocked by the allegations levied against her had always maintained her innocence and many are wondering whether the Deputy Governor would apologise to the Private Secretary for chasing her out of the office for the said accusation.
This news agency was also informed that the documents were found neither in the Private Secretary’s office nor the Minister’s Office.Efforts to confirm the development through the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works are futile up to publication time as this news agency has been told she was in a meeting.
According to information reaching this news agency, on Thursday November 10, the Private Secretary, who was to proceed on leave, visited her office in the Ministry of Communications and Works to finish cleaning and preparing her office and the Minister’s Office for the new Minister and possible Private Secretary.
It is VINO’s understanding, that it was reported to both the acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Arlene Smith-Thompson and the Deputy Governor that the Private Secretary was allegedly shredding documents. The documents were allegedly those of two major projects.
Sources close to the incident told VINO that the Private Secretary was not shredding any documents on Thursday. The source also claimed that it was on Wednesday November 9, 2011 that the Private Secretary was getting rid of papers that were personal to the former Minister for Communications and Works and had absolutely nothing to do with the Ministry or its work. The source also informed this news agency that the Private Secretary was only tearing up the papers on Wednesday and was even offered the shredder by another employee.
According to the source, when the incident occurred, the Acting Permanent Secretary during her own investigation concluded the same, however, because the matter had reached to the Deputy Governor, the Acting PS advised the Private Secretary to write a report on the matter before she left the office. However, before her report was completed, VINO understands that the Deputy Governor appeared in the Ministry and proceeded to the Private Secretary’s office where she enquired about the documents that were shredded. While she was reportedly given an explanation by the Private Secretary, the DG reportedly proceeded to tell the Private Secretary to “get out now” and to leave the building.
According to eyewitnesses, the DG then escorted the Private Secretary out of her office and the Ministry and to an elevator.
VINO understands that the Private Secretary was very shocked by the entire situation and the way she was treated by the Deputy Governor in an incident that was based on allegations. When the Private Secretary was contacted by VINO she referred all questions to the Acting PS.Several attempts were made to solicit a comment from the Acting Permanent Secretary but calls were not returned.
This news agency also contacted current Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool who had said he had no comment on the matter as it’s a matter for the Deputy Governor, who is responsible for the transition of ministers. “It was an issue surrounding the transition of ministers and the deputy governor is handling that”.Hon. Vanterpool had said when he got to his office, there was nothing going on there and if something had transpired it must have been before he got there.
The Deputy Governor Inez Archibald, through Information Officer Aisha Hill said she had no comments on the matter after several phone calls from this news agency. This news agency also contacted the Governor’s Office who said they knew nothing about the issue.It is still unclear what actions will be taken by the Private Secretary for an incident that may have tarnished her reputation.
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