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CoI Report expected to be turned over to VI Gov't this week!

- Governor to reportedly issue statement on CoI Report today, April 21, 2022
The Commission of Inquiry into governance in the Virgin Islands was called by controversial former Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert, left, who handpicked Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom, right, as Commissioner of the Inquiry. Photo: VINO/File
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, right, is expected to hand over the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report to Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) this week. Photo: VINO/File
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, right, is expected to hand over the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report to Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) this week. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The long-awaited Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report on the Virgin Islands (VI) initiated by the controversial former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert has still not been turned over to the elected Government of Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

The current appointed United Kingdom Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, who has had the report since April 4, 2022, told the Territory he will turn it over after Easter, as he needed time to read it.

He also refused a request of the Cabinet last week to turn over a copy.

Senior sources in the Governor’s Office; however, told our news centre that the Governor is preparing a press statement and could deliver the report to Government as early as today Thursday, April 21, 2022.

A question emailed to the Governor’s Office on this matter went unanswered up to publication time.

Gus' final revenge?

Most residents believe the CoI was called by disgraced former Governor ‘Gus’ because there was push back on his violation of the Virgin Islands (VI) Constitution and his abuse of power while in office where he acted like he was elected. Some alleged he was a racist, after Mr Jaspert said in a media interview that all the remnants of chattel slavery should remain around the Territory and that the VI should not expect reparations.

It was reported that Mr Jaspert had returned to the VI from the UK in January 2021 on the same aircraft with the Commission of Inquiry Head Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom, who Mr Jaspert handpicked. This was the concern of one witness and was raised at the hearing by Complaints Commission Attorney Erica R. Smith-Penn as to the transparency of the process and whether the VI could have gotten a just outcome.

Many also said the CoI was a ‘kangaroo court’ since persons could not be cross-examined by their legal representation and there was much disrespect and hostility shown to the elected members of the House of Assembly. The CoI process also was controversial when it was discovered that three of its lawyers; Andrew King, Bilal M. Rawat and Rhea Harrikisson were working in the VI illegally, as they were not called to the BVI Bar.

CoI are lawbreakers

The Attorney General Dawn J. Smith, in written correspondence to a senior member of the BVI Bar, stated the UK lawyers were in violation of the Legal Professions Act 2015. This has cast a shadow over the Report.

In a surprise move last year, the UK indemnified those involved in the CoI, including the former and current Governors, the CoI attorneys, and any other UK nationals involved.

This means that both the current and former Governors, along with the CoI lawyers, cannot in their private capacity be held responsible or sued for damage to individuals’ names and companies or the country’s good name.

27 Responses to “CoI Report expected to be turned over to VI Gov't this week!”

  • yea (21/04/2022, 09:10) Like (38) Dislike (4) Reply
    Ah patiently waiting.....
    • Hopes (21/04/2022, 09:45) Like (8) Dislike (32) Reply
      The Uk Govt tactic so far has been to keep the BVI Govt in the dark as much as possible, and to spring surprises when there is no reason not to give the BVI Govt a chance to be prepared. Expect the same this time.
  • My Gosh (21/04/2022, 09:35) Like (7) Dislike (53) Reply
    White supremacy at work
  • In a few words (21/04/2022, 09:37) Like (10) Dislike (47) Reply
    Modern day racism.
  • hmmm (21/04/2022, 09:40) Like (5) Dislike (46) Reply
    The prime minister of the uk broke the law and he get a slap on the risk but the same UK want to use a COI done by a judge they employed to try to take us over. Talk about dictatorship.
    • @ Hmmmm (21/04/2022, 11:11) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      remember there is very fine line between facts & fiction. our people reside in a territory that is still owned by the united kingdom

      while you grew up and based on your age your parents told you when to be indoors while your parents came in & out of the very same house as they pleased

  • Clearly (21/04/2022, 09:42) Like (8) Dislike (41) Reply
    I have no confidence in this COI because it give a free pass to the police and all other subjects under the Governor where they are the most and only corrupt sections of Government. THIS IS WRONG.
    • Be patient (21/04/2022, 13:50) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hey Clearly: Maybe you should wait to read the report before coming to a conclusion.
  • Analysis (21/04/2022, 09:43) Like (2) Dislike (28) Reply
    Herr we have a judge hired by the Governor to do a COI. What are we really expecting
  • This is my land (21/04/2022, 09:45) Like (9) Dislike (35) Reply
    They want the bvi bad for their white friends
  • How (21/04/2022, 09:47) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    there are some mysteries one just can not express

    how we find ourselves in this predicament

    will continue saying that our forefathers overcame the brutal struggle(1834 play the tape)

    2022 look at us(live & direct)

    poor political leadership (talk that

    the question
    1. What U going to do
    2. What can u do

    Black peoples talks to fu@in& much

    been black for 68 years(???)
  • Lillian (21/04/2022, 10:06) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    excellent great! come and save us lol
  • VG (21/04/2022, 10:11) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hurry Hurry NEWS flash I am ready with my popcorn oooooo.
    • Simple as ABC (21/04/2022, 11:58) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
      Scotland yard is coming, Change is coming in a lot of ways . So, they need to get prepared, Worst will come ..And no need to point figures or cass blame, they caused their own demised..
  • Tomorrowpeople (21/04/2022, 10:11) Like (2) Dislike (18) Reply
    proud foot report 1965 was a turning point for the Virgin islands. I expect this COI report will be a turning point in our favour. More autonomy and a new relationship with the UK aimed towards freedom of our destiny. Those who are against our destiny may choose to isolate on one of the small islands.
  • Rubber Duck (21/04/2022, 10:31) Like (9) Dislike (29) Reply
    Could you believe it got fools and uncle Toms who want the racist uk to take over the bvi smh
    • conscious (21/04/2022, 12:51) Like (7) Dislike (12) Reply
      I don't know any BVIslanders that would like to see the racist uk take over the BVI. What we would like to see are systems put in place so the BVIslanders are unable to victimize BVIslanders and elected officials that care about country and not self and who competent. Everything cannot be done in a 4 year period, stop being fooled by these fast talking self seeking individuals. Develop a long term strategic plan for the Territory with phased development. It scares me to think what could potentially happen to Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, Virgin Gorda if we don't choose conscious leaders. We can develop ourselves right into poverty by destroying the natural wonders GOD blessed us with. Wake up and speak up my PEOPLE!
  • 1949 (21/04/2022, 10:34) Like (7) Dislike (23) Reply
    Ayo better get ready to march on white supremacy
  • UK (21/04/2022, 11:32) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    what is controversial about jaspert? just don't get it,
  • What goes around comes around. (21/04/2022, 11:54) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    Look at the way this govt, labour dept, immigration department treat experts...I'm not sorry for them, what goes around comes around, do good and good will follow you...They are getting the treatment they dished out. Hope Eyes are open, changes happen and the BVI becomes a better place ..
  • Quiet Rebel (21/04/2022, 12:07) Like (2) Dislike (16) Reply
    Is today the UK suspends the BVI constitution and institute direct rule? The CoI is indeed a Kangaroo Court. former guv gus jaspert handpicked Sir Gary Hickinbottom to do his/UK dirty work as he was running out the door. This CoI was not independently conducted. A blind man on a pitch dark night could clearly see the collusion at play. The UK and other colonist and imperialist countries view of Blacks as inferior and whose role was subservient. Consequently, Blacks advancement and progress anywhere is a threat to their big lie about their superiority, their power, control of resources, wealth, government services, etc. The UK’s attitude towards its OTS is a master-slave relationship, ie, do what I say for I’m charge, for you are a dependency. There is a double standard. Boris Johnson breaks the law and got a slap on the wrist. Somebody else stated somewhere that the UK may be jealous of the BVI. They left the BVI as a bird sanctuary but it has progressed and the UK is surprised, for Black people should stay in their places.
  • hypocrites (21/04/2022, 12:34) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    YOU CAN TRY TO CREATE DISTRACTIONS BY BLOGGING ALL KINDS OF SH*T USING DIFFERENT NAMES BUT WE KNOW THE TRUTH ( YOU GOT WHAT MASTER FOI BEGGED FOR , SO KEEP ON SINGING
    • @ hypocrites (21/04/2022, 13:24) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
      they can't touch the BVI with this type of hypocrisy we are ready to march for our freedom and justice
  • As you sow, so shall you reapl (21/04/2022, 13:58) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    There would have been no CoI had the BVI governments (previous and present) attemted to work in an ethical manner in the best interest of the people that elected them for several decades. For how many years was the public purse wasted without any accountability whatsoever? For how many years has there been rampant cronyism, corruption and nepotism? Many warnings were made and alarms sounded over the years, and what happened? Nothing. Nothing at all. Tell me otherwise.
  • HMMM (21/04/2022, 14:20) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Governor, Please make it public when the government receives it, or we'll never see it
  • Hickinbottom (23/04/2022, 04:38) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    The heart of this is white control and white supremacy

    Not a damm thing else


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