Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

'BVI Platinum News misrepresented me' – Jamal S. Smith

- Says he made no opposition to Cruise Ship Pier Project
Attorney-at-law Mr Jamal S. Smith wants to make it absolutely clear that he is not in strict opposition to the Cruise Ship Pier Pier Project but that he is more concerned about the lack of transparency to the public. Photo: VINO
'I made no opposition to the cruise ship pier itself. The Cruise Ship Pier project I believe is important to help us get to where we need to be in the cruise tourism industry, and that is what I said but I am deeply concerned in the process,' were the words of Jamal S. Smith. Photo: VINO/File
'I made no opposition to the cruise ship pier itself. The Cruise Ship Pier project I believe is important to help us get to where we need to be in the cruise tourism industry, and that is what I said but I am deeply concerned in the process,' were the words of Jamal S. Smith. Photo: VINO/File
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI – Attorney-at-law Mr Jamal S. Smith wants to make it absolutely clear that he is not in strict opposition to the Cruise Ship Pier Project but that he is more concerned about the lack of transparency to the public.

Mr Smith said he felt the need to make this clear since the pro-government news site BVI Platinum News had misrepresented him a couple of months ago when, in his personal capacity, he had called for transparency to the project. BVI Platinum News had wrongly quoted him as speaking on behalf of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) of which Mr Smith is Chairman.

However, the BVICCHA Chairman said the news site had also gave the impression that he was not in favour of the project, which he said was not the case.

“It’s been said that I oppose the Cruise Ship Pier. That not true,” Mr Smith told Virgin Islands New Online in an exclusive interview.

Providing a copy of the document containing what he had indeed said, Mr Smith emphasised that he is certainly not opposed to the Cruise Ship Pier Project but that he has a major concern about the matter of transparency, or the lack of it. “What I said was we have to be transparent in the process of awarding the contract,  Mr Smith stressed. “I made no opposition to the cruise ship pier itself. The Cruise Ship Pier project I believe is important to help us get to where we need to be in the cruise tourism industry, and that is what I said but I am deeply concerned in the process.”

He said that he had not gone public before to strike a disclaimer to what he alleged the BVI Platinum News had falsely reported because at that time, “The position of the Chamber was, leave it alone. Speaking about it constantly will not help the situation,” claimed Mr Smith.

Bringing his concerns more current, Mr Smith referred to the recent address to the Territory by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith. “Now the Premier indicated that the UK Government has found the process as acceptable. I think some clarifications need to be made as to whether the UK government investigated "the process’ and they made a determination that the process as acceptable.”

According to the Attorney at Law, nowhere has he seen any statement from the UK that the process was acceptable. “What they were concerned about was the financial ramifications of the project and what I know they have said is that the project is necessary to improve the economy. That’s something we have been saying all along.”

He reiterated that the process is one of major concern but is not convinced with what Premier Smith had said in his speech. “I am not sure that the UK government said what the Premier claimed they said about the process. Some clarifications need to be made on it,” Mr Smith insisted.

18 Responses to “'BVI Platinum News misrepresented me' – Jamal S. Smith”

  • Gasprov (16/07/2013, 08:46) Like (11) Dislike (60) Reply
    Lies... Lies and more lies. This thing is going to blow up in Dr. Smith "Premier's" face he aint going know what hit him. What a travesty.
    • under the bus (16/07/2013, 11:17) Like (10) Dislike (52) Reply
      I honestly think that bvi platinum licence for a newspaper needs to be revoked
  • ... (16/07/2013, 08:51) Like (11) Dislike (58) Reply
    Oh lord there the government site goes again Jamal you should sue them backside
    • ---------------- (16/07/2013, 19:08) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      Seems like the NDP news site following their government lead as dem tell lies like Satan.
  • wise up (16/07/2013, 09:26) Like (14) Dislike (56) Reply
    Poor Platinum...always misquoting somebody...When your motives are to support the NDP and you are not fair and objective is equals to yellow journalism
    • Well meh boy (17/07/2013, 06:21) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
      I have said over and over and over that BVI Platinum can not be termed a respectable news paper! In my humble opinion, they are gossippers, instigators and strangers to the truth....time contiune to prove me RIGHT
  • regan (16/07/2013, 10:41) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    there we go again!
  • BREAKING NEWS (16/07/2013, 10:58) Like (14) Dislike (34) Reply
    Platinum isn't journalism. The New York Times, Washington Post, VINO they do journalism. Platinum is just an extension of the NDP propaganda machine
    • ccc (16/07/2013, 15:46) Like (13) Dislike (14) Reply
      leave them one of deeds days they will pick on the right person and get what's coming to them
  • Overboard now (16/07/2013, 12:03) Like (10) Dislike (38) Reply
    Platinum will never be able to hold a light to VINO...they must learn to put their brains in gear before they post articles and having people always accusing them of not writing the truth.

    Any reporter with professionalism and good sense would have known to at least tape the man then report from the tape….
  • bay yute (16/07/2013, 15:33) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    if he is an attorney that is worth his salt he will sue for slander
    • Bvi man (16/07/2013, 19:04) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      That site Platinum is a hot mess!! Your intentions to destroy anyone who opposes the government are very clear.
  • ta ta (16/07/2013, 18:55) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    well Jamal you are not the first that platinum has misrepresented and would not be the last
  • farmer brown (17/07/2013, 05:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We thank god for vino to keep things balance and fair I see why a certain minister wants you close bam
  • 007 (17/07/2013, 06:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Platinum articles are coming under allot a heat these days. As an avid online news reader it makes one wonder each day, if what they be posting is true or not. That's not a good thing at all.

    VINO keep your high standards and objectivity cuz anything else is not true reality.
  • xxxxxxxx (17/07/2013, 08:56) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Platinum and beacon went after VINO...but you guys want the good site but you will never get the king. VINO is untouchable
  • Shara Parlin (18/07/2013, 01:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    VINO, thanks for bringing this to our attention. But please do not stoop to Platinum’s level on all the silly, political things they have written on you. You still have your in tack reputation for professionalism. Platinum has lost theirs long time ago, but that is no reason for you to ever sink to their level. Keep up the good works VINO we the people got your back ALL THE WAY.
  • creed (18/07/2013, 10:59) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    only because Paltinum and NDP can't believe the ppl had the audacity to criticize the Government, in a land that we should have freedom of the press why they always telling us untruth


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.