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CoI is a ‘charade’ with UK final report already written- Elroy A. Turnbull

- alleges that the ultimate target is VI’s financial services sector
Former Chief Education Officer (CEO), My Elroy A. Turnbull said he believed the UK-sponsored Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry is nothing but a charade and rather, a part of the UK Government’s plans to take over the territory. Photo: Facebook/File
Turnbull’s suspicion was revealed during the August 30, 2021, edition of the Umoja Show with host Cromwell Smith aka 'Edju En Ka', where he said that the agenda of the British to take over, is partly due to the VI’s financial services sector. Photo: Facebook
Turnbull’s suspicion was revealed during the August 30, 2021, edition of the Umoja Show with host Cromwell Smith aka 'Edju En Ka', where he said that the agenda of the British to take over, is partly due to the VI’s financial services sector. Photo: Facebook
Honestly Speaking radio host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline had questioned the motives of the CoI ordered by 'Gus' into the affairs Government of the Virgin Islands, pointing to previous CoI’s in other Overseas Territories (OTs) as an example of what could come. Photo: VINO/File
Honestly Speaking radio host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline had questioned the motives of the CoI ordered by 'Gus' into the affairs Government of the Virgin Islands, pointing to previous CoI’s in other Overseas Territories (OTs) as an example of what could come. Photo: VINO/File
Pastor of the New Life Baptist Church in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola, Bishop John I. Cline affirmed that the UK will face ‘stiff resistance’ should they try to take over the territory after the conclusion of the Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry. Photo: Facebook/File
Pastor of the New Life Baptist Church in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola, Bishop John I. Cline affirmed that the UK will face ‘stiff resistance’ should they try to take over the territory after the conclusion of the Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry. Photo: Facebook/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Former Chief Education Officer (CEO), Mr Elroy A. Turnbull believes the United Kingdom (UK)-sponsored Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry is nothing but a charade and rather a part of the UK Government’s plans to take over the territory.

Turnbull’s suspicion was revealed during the August 30, 2021, edition of the Umoja Show with host Cromwell Smith aka 'Edju En Ka', where he said the agenda of the British to take over is partly due to the VI’s financial services sector.

UK dislike for VI Financial Services Sector

“The British do not like our financial services, they feel that we are literally kind of a rich country… we have all this money and all these things and then with drugs, we are heavy into drugs and we are tarnishing their reputation,” he said.

He said the UK’s mission with the CoI is also to investigate whether there is truth behind allegations that the VI’s financial services sector houses monies from organised crime connected to Russia and Mexico.

“This is just a charade, all we are going through is just a show… the report has been written already and one thing I find different, that one commissioner,” he said.

CoI started before the launch date - Mr Turnbull 

Mr Turnbull pointed to scandals such as the ESHS wall and the botched BVI Airways deal under the previous Dr D. Orlando Smith-led National Democratic Party (NDP) Government and that he suspected the CoI actually started before its official launch date.

Under the previous Governor, Augustus J.U. Jaspert aka 'Gus', the Inquiry was launched on January 18, 2021, however, Mr Turnbull said it might have started before via several audits from the local Auditor General.

“This Commission of Inquiry in my opinion started a long time ago, all we are doing now is formalising a Commission of Inquiry,” he said.

Meanwhile, ahead of Turnbull's assumptions, several social commentators and talk show hosts had warned that any conclusion of the CoI that leads to the UK taking over VI will be opposed. 

Honestly Speaking radio host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline had questioned the motives of the CoI ordered by 'Gus' into the affairs of the Government of the Virgin Islands, pointing to previous CoI’s in other Overseas Territories (OTs) as an example of what could come.

He said the case is often that OT Leaders are either forced out of office or in some cases, the local constitution is suspended, paving way for the UK to step in for a takeover.

Stiff resistance to any UK takeover- Bishop John I. Cline 

Pastor of the New Life Baptist Church in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola, Bishop John I. Cline affirmed that the UK will face ‘stiff resistance’ should they try to take over the territory after the conclusion of the Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry.

“We have clearly stated that we do not wish to even go back to what looks like a hint of colonialism [or] pseudo colonialism or you come in under the name of good governance and say you are taking over.”

“For you to come in and say you ready to take over, the UK must know they are going to meet with some stiff resistance,” he said.

23 Responses to “CoI is a ‘charade’ with UK final report already written- Elroy A. Turnbull”

  • Ya awl (31/08/2021, 08:14) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Pastor, you at it agin whippin up trouble. What resistance you talkin about. Physical or mental? Physical we are damned and cannot fight warships filled with highly trained troops. Mental then that’s more of a fair battle.
  • Tbone (31/08/2021, 08:26) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
    The CoI was aired publicly and based on what I heard and since none of the findings gave be e n disputed, UK will be doing due diligence to take overv the Vi .and Cline is a big factor and instigator in this rigmarole. Just to not hear or see him would be worth a sigh of relief and fresh air. "Stiff resistance" won't be by the people so done with the empty threats. Check the pulse of the people for a semblance of clarity.
  • gogo (31/08/2021, 08:27) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    Nobody cares what these pp think. They are irrelevant to the process. Like children complains about what they see as things being unfair but having no power to influence the outcome.
  • rattie (31/08/2021, 08:35) Like (5) Dislike (17) Reply
    Look injustice against the people of the bvi
  • Lucifer (31/08/2021, 08:38) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    Perhaps Mr. Turnbull could explain why he considers it a bad thing to investigate the BVI financial services sector if there are suspicions of Mexican and Russian criminals laundering money through it? Is the correct approach to just turn a blind eye to that and the drug trade that flows through the territory?
  • Well (31/08/2021, 08:40) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    THE BRITISH WANTS TO TAKE OVER (? ) I THOUGHT THE OWN IT , SOME PEOPLE HAS A WAY TO WITH WORDS , BUT ALL WE HEARING IS ( THE BRITS THE UK AND JASPERT - EVEN THE EXPATS ) AND WE KNOW SWEET TALKERS NORMALLY DON'T DWELL CLOSE TO THE ( TRUTH ) THE ( COI ) HAS TOUCHED SOME OF THOSE SO CALLED UNTOUCHABLES
  • oh boy (31/08/2021, 11:03) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who sent the brigade to this site. I guess it touched a nerve.
  • goat (31/08/2021, 11:08) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Your a very wise man.The BVI people been getting played by the ones they trust for years.Now the time has come that all will see!!!!!
  • @ CHEAP SMILE (31/08/2021, 11:44) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    SOME PEOPLE REALLY BELIEVE THEIR TRICKY SMILE IS SO CONVINCING THAT THEY CAN SELL OIL TO THE ARABS
  • fromafar (31/08/2021, 12:12) Like (4) Dislike (21) Reply
    I notice some bloggers have some opinions that seem to be always against the people of these Virgin Islands . You came and live with us we accepted you with open arms, what don't you understand about our history our treatment by colonial rule that we are not accepting. You don't want it for your countries why should we ? Because it benefit you economically and status wise you wish for us to remain open and tolerable to this treatment for the rest of our lives? I have been saying and seeing this coming from a child , It has to stop the younger generation is not going to accept this , sorry to burst your bubble but we have had enough. You ask the question What does Virgin Islanders think about this ? you will be surprised to find out.
    • Unconventional leadership (31/08/2021, 13:07) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
      @fromafar. I am in total agreement with you, enough is enough. Tell them they would indeed be surprise to find out. Tell them from afar we the majority want Britain to take over. Amen fromafar.
  • ta ta (31/08/2021, 12:28) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    The white people are blogging more than the locals
  • Mr Elroy my good Brother (31/08/2021, 13:08) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    Are you saying this government and the previous governments did nothing wrong...? Are you saying that all the troubling things we are hearing from witnesses are lies? Are you blaming the COI for the Actions of our governments past and present?....Relax yourself Elroy,, maybe you are campaigning for a consultant Job...They are giving them out like vaxine..
  • Dancing in the sunshine (31/08/2021, 14:14) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
    Who the cap fits let them wear it. This is a serious problem that is on the horizon and the people of the Virgin Islands must be prepared for it. We cannot hibernate as crabs in holes, rather we will have to face it. First of all we must have unity among the population. There are people in our midst who would like to see a British occupancy of the territory. I am TOTALLY AGAINST it. The citizens of this territory have toiled very hard in very rough conditions to reach where we are today and it will be a backward step to see the British coming here to dictate our way of life. NONSENSE>

    The former governor Jaspert came here from the Turks and Cacaos island where he was instrumental in the British taking over of that government. It was not surprising when he was leaving, that he called for a COI as a pretext for the British intervention. Not every white grin is genuine and we as citizens of this country must be able to stand in solidarity with each other rather than support the descendants of white slave masters. In my opinion, the British taking over is inevitable and there will be an influx of foreign business that will force many of our local business to be bankrupt and sold to the whites. There will be a new day in the Territory and demographic of the population will be different. We will have white police officers, teachers, office managers, doctors and nurses to name a few then we will see the might of the British. Those who have eyes will see and those have ears will hear.
  • fromafar (31/08/2021, 14:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    To unconventional leadership, I say very funny, read again and try and understand, funny is an under statement.
  • vi (31/08/2021, 16:40) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    The foreign bloggers are out in force. That’s to be expected the media campaign started way back and the sad part is they are steady. Normal people who have lives to live don’t have time to combat it.

    Everyone comes to the VI and wants to run it. Well not everyone.. some are respectful and understanding not to push themselves up in a another land over the local people & culture.

    For instance we are not supportive of legalizing gays though we may be friends and tolerant. It’s not what we want in law as to our mostly Christian society it’s inherently sinful.

    Next thing you know your forced to make gay themed goods against your beliefs or get sued.

    Their going after the economy because while the government makes good money no one can tell us what to do with their money when it’s 100% VI money.

    If financial services revenue ends for the sale of the public we better have that legal weed ready and be exporting it.

    Because someone will hit us with a oh I don’t know 300million dollar loan and put us into economic slavery.
    • Lucifer (01/09/2021, 08:35) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      As a 'mostly Christian society' we seem to have a lot of strip clubs here and a lot of people that take a flexible view of the sanctity of marriage. Is that not sinful? or is that okay as those are the sins you agree with? Cant be picking and choosing which bits of scripture you want to abide with and which ones you don't, people might think you are a hypocrite.
  • Observer (01/09/2021, 06:14) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wonder if we have to give back our islands to the descendants of its original inhabitants...all this from here and expat nonesense will cease.

    Will love to see a COI done on these churches here
    • @observer (01/09/2021, 23:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you knew about history you will know the Amerindians were the first to be worked by the Colonialist and all died. How about a COI on those practices that led to genocide & slavery? Or an audit on those profits?
  • Wrong (01/09/2021, 11:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Elroy is barking up the wrong tree. The BVI Govt has always skimmed off the top but once upon a time it went to all the BVI. Now they skim more and it goes to an elite not for the betterment of the wider BVI. People have got too greedy and our infrastructure, schools and services are 3rd world standard. This needs to change and if the only way to make it happen is the COI then great. If the Gov wants to stay they need to take less and revamp the country in the next 2 years to well built roads and schools.
  • John (01/09/2021, 21:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVIslander ps will be foolish to allow colonialism back on the BVi shores. Matter of fact they will be dumb.


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