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Attaboy?! Controversial ‘Gus’ Jaspert rewarded with CMG title by UK

- Mr Jaspert was accused of resisting the efforts of VI to achieve greater autonomy & self-government from colonial UK
According to the Birthday Honours 2021 Overseas and International List published by the UK government on June 11, 2021, controversial former ex-governor Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert, left, was given the Order of St Michael and St George. Right: The 'racist' image on the royal order badge. Photo: VINO/INTERFOTO/Alamy
The imagery on the award’s badge portrays St Michael trampling on Satan, but campaigners, according to The Guardian, say the image is reminiscent of the killing of George P. Floyd Jr by white police officers in the US that led to worldwide protests. Photo: Internet Source
The imagery on the award’s badge portrays St Michael trampling on Satan, but campaigners, according to The Guardian, say the image is reminiscent of the killing of George P. Floyd Jr by white police officers in the US that led to worldwide protests. Photo: Internet Source
Former governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert was accused of frustrating the efforts of the elected government of the Virgin Islands during his tenure. Photo: VINO/File
Former governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert was accused of frustrating the efforts of the elected government of the Virgin Islands during his tenure. Photo: VINO/File
LONDON, United Kingdom- While the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) had complained to the United Kingdom (UK) Government of the alleged disregard for the Virgin Islands Constitution, disrespect to the legislature and disregard for the right of the territory to seek more autonomy and ultimately independence by then-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, it did nothing, according to Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1), but has instead rewarded Jaspert with royal honour.

According to the Birthday Honours 2021 Overseas and International List published by the UK government on June 11, 2021, Mr Jaspert was given the Order of St Michael and St George.

‘Gus’ rewarded by UK!

The controversial ex-governor, who it is alleged called a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in the Virgin Islands during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic because he was vexed he was unable to get his way with the democratically elected Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government, was conferred with the title of Companion (CMG).

The Order of St Michael and St George is traditionally awarded to ambassadors and diplomats and senior Foreign Office officials who have served abroad. It has three ranks, the highest of which is Knight Grand Cross (GCMG), followed by Knight Commander (KCMG) and Companion (CMG).

It was in June 2020, that the image on the badge for the Order of St Michael and St George had come in for strong criticism from persons who believed it was reminiscent of the May 25, 2020, killing of George P. Floyd Jr by white police officers in the US that led to worldwide protests.

Image ‘offensive’

According to British newspaper, The Guardian, campaigners had called for the redesign of the award because they said its badge resembles a depiction of a white angel standing on the neck of a chained black man.

The imagery on the award’s badge portrays St Michael trampling on Satan, but campaigners, according to The Guardian, had said the image is reminiscent of the killing of George P. Floyd Jr.

A petition had called for the medal to be redesigned.

Was Gus racist?

Coincidentally, Mr Jaspert had angered some Virgin Islanders who felt he had uttered racist and insensitive statements when he said that the Virgin Islands descendants of slaves should not look forward to reparations for chattel slavery.

Further, Jaspert, who was also recently given a job by Prime Minister Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, who himself has been labeled as racist, had suggested that the Virgin Islands preserve the names of landmarks named in honour of persons who were involved in the slave trade and who would have also committed crimes against humanity.

This was even after statues of persons involved in the slave trade were being torn down in the United Kingdom and even dumped in rivers.

Mr Jaspert never apologised for his statements but instead departed the Virgin Islands mere days after announcing a controversial Commission of Inquiry on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 18, 2021.

30 Responses to “Attaboy?! Controversial ‘Gus’ Jaspert rewarded with CMG title by UK”

  • lol (17/06/2021, 18:42) Like (54) Dislike (27) Reply
    You guys really think that the BVI is a topic in the UK??? WTF?
    • YAWN (17/06/2021, 19:35) Like (37) Dislike (9) Reply
      Well now I know who snitched on my great ,great ,great, grand daddy to massa. It is not speculation. It is a fact. Who do you think is running the COI? The USA or Africa? I guess you didn't read the many articles in the UK media about the COI and biggest drug bust ever. Free your mind.
    • Citizen (17/06/2021, 20:43) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      That conversation won’t be in your circle Buddy.
    • rattie (17/06/2021, 23:08) Like (12) Dislike (44) Reply
      One of the worse governors in the bvi
    • Rubber Duck (18/06/2021, 08:59) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
      Most people there have never actually heard of BVI. Except in a bad “ tax haven “ way. Hardly anyone knows where it is. Or cares.
      • to Rubber Duck (18/06/2021, 11:36) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
        And yet you are here. Why aren't you living in Dubai and those ritzy places?
      • zero (18/06/2021, 11:42) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
        I guess they do not have history classes and are not educated. So you foolish to think they don't know BVI in fact they know BVI better than their own front lawn fool
  • Hmmm (17/06/2021, 18:55) Like (96) Dislike (39) Reply
    Congratulations Gus. Well deserved. Don't watch the noise. Empty barrels make the most noise. Good job requesting the COI.
  • my2cents (17/06/2021, 20:20) Like (9) Dislike (14) Reply
    don't expect a colonizer to apologize for colonizing
  • My friend... (17/06/2021, 20:36) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply

    You sound like a disgruntled b***h with all these politics articles. We are watching you from the dark - don’t close your eyes my friend..

  • Youth (17/06/2021, 20:57) Like (4) Dislike (27) Reply
    That man was never truthful.
  • omg (17/06/2021, 20:58) Like (5) Dislike (16) Reply
    His colonial boss award him for carrying out their colonial mission. Pure foolishness.
  • My Goodness (17/06/2021, 21:35) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    we give these white people to much attention try fix the country and leave the white boy sit at the back of the bus: giving these uk far 2 much headlines.....stop fanning foolish flames
  • omg (17/06/2021, 22:58) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    The imagery on that award says it all. Just shocking!
  • RubberDuck (17/06/2021, 23:11) Like (5) Dislike (23) Reply
    He was a wicked governor but he left broken
    • Rubber Duck (18/06/2021, 09:00) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      If you would like some English lessons or instructions on how to think, I would be happy to help.
  • Mitror (17/06/2021, 23:41) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Unfortunate, this time they have our poor internationally reclaimed Premier ridiculed, and our sub. esteemed is being topped by Archer. The world is messed up.
  • DDM Still exit (18/06/2021, 00:51) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    What's up with the weather..??
  • lodger (18/06/2021, 02:37) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    You moan about name changing, but you forget our own late premier introduced a law banning the change of traditional names. That would include not changing historical names connected with slavery. You cannot change history, however bad or good it may have been.
  • Vision (18/06/2021, 07:40) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    He had covered his tracks well citing his bad management of post-Irma if it wasn't for some of our good samaritans who took their heavy equipment out to help clean up it would have been a lot worst. He gave out awards to certain persons citing the good job they did handling the hurricane. Despite the looting, lack of police presence, and misinformation about the storm's whereabouts and impact.

    Not to mention the prison fiasco that was never investigated and made public which is what he did on a lot of matters keeping the findings a secret. Not to mention Mark's resigning fiasco that he handled poorly. But in the end when he was leaving despite the constant call of the people to do so. He finally calls for an inquiry when it looked like the people were corrupt. Allowing a sore to fester to deep. To this day we still aren't sure where all this is going if justice will be served.

    He played a good fiddle and came out looking like a hero.
  • Reality check (18/06/2021, 08:04) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
    I believe he is deserving of the award for his actions after Irma when our government was paralyzed, unable to cope with the disaster. Governor Jaspert stepped up, taking control and kick-starting the recovery efforts. Without his quick actions we would have been much longer recovering and at a much greater cost.
    Do not forget that it was our Premier who signed the financial agreement making the territory adhere to responsible financial controls, with the government having already borrowed to the limits of the agreement meaning the government couldn't make use of the loan guarantees, although all it had to do was present a plan for reducing expenses to allow additional borrowing. It must be frustrating for the current government to be shackled by the last one, but focus that frustration on returning the territory to fiscal responsibility by reducing expenses, paying off outstanding loans, improving the education system, ensuring a brighter future.
    • facts (18/06/2021, 08:58) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
      Knowledge is key. Ignorance is our destruction. Did you not know that it was the Governor who rendered them powerless by using the Disaster Management Act to call a state of emergency and shut out the elected government so he could look like the hero. Then suddenly he began to feel like he was elected..the power had gone to his head. You all have been well played but not me and many of us who been looking on. Take a little read to enlighten yourself. https://bvi.org/inexperienced-governor-was-calling-the-shots-after-irma-hon-fraser

      https://bvi.org/hon-vanterpool-slams-governor-for-trying-to-intimidate-vi-premier
      • Hmm (18/06/2021, 11:59) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
        And he was mad when they amended the state of emergency law and took the portfolio of Disaster Management Act from him. its all making sense
  • All the best (18/06/2021, 15:10) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Congrats! Well deserved! And I’m sure many more accomplishments to come!
  • Proud (20/06/2021, 14:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations! Well deserved! Don’t let anyone downplay your accomplishments here in the BVI. Haters will hate— especially the biased bozos at VINO. Enjoy yourself.
  • watcher (12/10/2021, 16:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    seems they didn't know or didn't care about Jaspert's revolting #MeToo sexual harrassment. The man is a disgrace and should never be allowed to work in the public sector again.


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