CoI Commissioner reportedly tried to bully HoA Speaker to meeting on his terms
Recalling the situation, Hon Willock said, “It is unfortunate that when--that we did not meet as when you arrived in January, you reached out to me, and I accepted the invitation and set up for the meeting to be held in my office. You refused but instead insisted that I meet you at your office.”
The Speaker was also at the time appearing before the Commission for the first time during the Friday, June 18, 2021, Day 24 hearing of the CoI in the Virign Islands.
'It does not work like that in the VI’ – HoA Speaker
“You will appreciate, Commissioner, that a stranger cannot come to the Virgin Islands and e-mail the Speaker of the House of Assembly and demand that he comes to his office.”
As reflected in the transcripts of the same date, the House Speaker then rebuked the Commissioner for the practice, which he indicated was unacceptable in the IV.
“It does not work like that in the Virgin Islands. I have an office, too,” Hon Willock said.
The Commissioner then denied the Speaker's claims and said he was open to meeting him anywhere except the House of Assembly, given that the Inquiry is allegedly independent.
However, according to the Speaker, the meeting would not have been in the HoA but at the Office of the HoA.
No bullying of locals by CoI or Commissioner!
“I'm sorry, Honourable Speaker,” the Commissioner said, however, he still maintained his position, leading to Hon Willock calling for the record to be made accurate and underscoring that if the CoI is indeed a transparent process, then the commissioner would appreciate that the record must be accurate.
“You invited me to come to talk about the work of the Commission. I said let's have the meeting at my government office. You refused. There was two or three letters back and forth. You insisted--your Secretary insisted that I come to your office,” the Speaker went on to say.
According to Hon Willock, “Now, a stranger coming to the BVI, sending me an e-mail to meet them at the office, it don't work like that in the BVI, Commissioner. So, I hope you have an appreciation for that.”
.png)
Follow Us On
21 Responses to “CoI Commissioner reportedly tried to bully HoA Speaker to meeting on his terms”