BVI News facing legal action over libel against Ex-Speaker Willock
In a Silk Legal lawyer’s letter seen by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) and sent to the publication's owner Julia Donovan, today, January 12, 2023, BVI News was accused of not only publishing false information but doing so without verifying the information or doing the due diligence required in responsible journalism.
False report published without verifying details - Silk Legal Letter
In a news article today, January 12, 2023, entitled ‘JUST IN: Willock approached the police days before his arrest', on BVI News.com, it was claimed that Mr Willock, after approaching the police on a complaint, was made to hand over his mobile phone, which, according to the legal letter, was false.
The report follows another published yesterday, January 11, 2022, that the Speaker has called ‘bogus’, allegations that he was involved in human trafficking.
VINO had earlier reached out to officials of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) about the false reporting regarding handing over of personal devices and whether they had provided that timeline of information to BVI News.
While not addressing the matter, police in a statement told the press, “The RVIPF strictly adheres to the policy that ONLY the name of persons arrested and charged will be released to the public. This should be the practice of all media houses as the organization considers it unethical practice to do otherwise."
RVIPF says some inaccurate info was published by media
“Information released by some media houses has been inaccurate and therefore the public ill-informed. Please allow officers to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding arrests so the information released is accurate and fair to any accused. The RVIPF will not comment any further,” the statement said.
The RVIPF did not specify what inaccurate information was published and who published the said information.
In the legal letter sent by Silk Legal, however, the BVI News website was reminded that in order to avoid accusations of defamation, the press should seek comment from whom it is writing about.
“Neither you, nor your agents or employees sought any comment or to do any due diligence with respect to this article. Merely relying on an unnamed source is highly irresponsible and indeed quite reckless, particularly when somebody’s good name and character is at stake,” the letter detailed.
BVI News asked to issue apology & remove article
BVI News in the letter was also asked to remove the article and issue an apology to Mr Willock by 4:00 pm, today, January 12, 2023; however, up to publication time the article in question was still on the website and no public apology had been made.
The pro-UK Government website, which has been accused of focusing on putting the Virgin Islands and its governments in a negative light, has had several lawsuits against it over the years.
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31 Responses to “BVI News facing legal action over libel against Ex-Speaker Willock”
publishing slander is questionable and be very mindful lots of us have a different story when such things happens directly to us: when it is another person we all on the ground rolling and rejoicing
i hope when freedom of speech visits your door step u will be happy
me 2
It's like someone is reading the Trump playbook!
How come they are not arresting all them damn murderers, killers, those shooting and gunning
down people along with child molesters and robbers.
This whole thing is a damn setup by the UK to take down the BVI.
“This damn UK is trying to take over the British Virgin Islands in a sly and tricky way” – Yes, UK is not to be trusted but let’s not forget, it is the British VI. There is a special kind of local patriotism that chooses to pretend it is not a territory of the UK since 1670 or something. Stop pretending they have no say in our islands like they appear our of the blue.
“So they are arresting our officials and public Officers.” – yes, they are because they our officials and officers of the public who have a role in our community. That role is not to be a rogue player and do what you want or what suits your bank account or friends or relatives. It is to serve the public, whoever they are. Thieves is thieves and when they are dressed up as servants of society but stealing from us and making our lives worse to make their lives better – screw them! They need to operate with integrity. Full stop.
“How come they are not arresting all them damn murderers …” etc.
You all always use this terrible terrible argument to make out like the UK is at fault on this. The reason it is so terrible is because it is an indictment of US, not the UK. It is us who do the murdering, shooting, child molestation and robbing – not UK cops. Why does such a small place have such high numbers for the above crimes compared to other places? it is WE doing it.
Furthermore it us who put pressure on our own to keep our mouth shut and never give the po po any kind of lead. Ever. Even if we know damn well who did the crime. Cops don’t use crystal balls. They use witnesses and concerned citizens help them to stop dangerous and wicked behaviour from happening. Except here. We prefer to let it keep happening, and blame the UK.
“This whole thing is a damn setup by the UK to take down the BVI.”
Down? Down? How much more room it have beneath us? Look at our record on all the above. Look at your twisted efforts to avoid ANY part in the disaster and blame the white colonialists for everything.
This political tactic – very much promoted by Willock for years now – is all a fraud and it helps us to GET WORSE because we convince ourselves it is all their fault.
Blame UK where UK is wrong. Blame BVIslanders where BVIslanders are wrong. That’s it. Be honest. God is watching.
lets all have a laugh.