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Commissioner Dr Turnbull Sr blasts portion of CoI as misinformation

- debunked the theory by some that the UK should take over the VI
One of the recent Constitutional Review Commissioners, Dr Melvin A. Turnbull Sr, has lambasted the Commissioner of Inquiry (CoI) report for labelling the [British] Virgin Islands as corrupt. Photo: HLSCC/Facebook
The Commission of Inquiry in the Virgin Islands was led by a lone Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom (right), who was handpicked by controversial former VI Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert, left. The CoI was criticised as a witch hunt and with an objective to harm the Virgin Islands' constitutional and democratic advancements. Photo: VINO/File
The Commission of Inquiry in the Virgin Islands was led by a lone Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom (right), who was handpicked by controversial former VI Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert, left. The CoI was criticised as a witch hunt and with an objective to harm the Virgin Islands' constitutional and democratic advancements. Photo: VINO/File
Members of the panel for The Constitution Round Table #2. From left: Dr Melvin A. Turnbull, Ms Ingrid A. Moses, Mr Coy W. Levons, and moderator Pat Archibald-Bowers. Photo: Facebook
Members of the panel for The Constitution Round Table #2. From left: Dr Melvin A. Turnbull, Ms Ingrid A. Moses, Mr Coy W. Levons, and moderator Pat Archibald-Bowers. Photo: Facebook
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI- One of the recent Constitutional Review Commissioners, Dr Melvin A. Turnbull Sr, has lambasted the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report for labelling the [British] Virgin Islands as corrupt.

He was at the time speaking as a panellist on Constitutional Round Table hosted by H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Dr Turnbull opined that it is part of a conspiracy to deliberately attempt to discredit local leadership and create a narrative about the Virgin Islands’ inability to self-govern or move to self-determination.

“Don’t be fooled by the narrative being painted that we are corrupt and all that. That is not us…. All the problems that we need to solve, we have what it takes and we can do it,” the senior pastor of the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church, Mr Turnbull told the public.

No to direct rule we have built this- Dr Turnbull

The clergyman debunked the theory by some that the UK needs to recolonize the Territory via direct rule. Dr Turnbull, the father of legislator Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), noted: “The truth is, history shows that every time we determine our destiny, every time we are given the authority and the power, we have always done well.”

He also said that all branches of Government must be held to account as there are three branches, Executive, Legislative and Judicial. 

Dr Turnbull Sr expressed concern that the Judicial arm, which is not working, is given a free pass. Some on the panel raised issues of the years persons are on remand “without a court date and when you look they are found not guilty of the allegation/s”.

Recently, Leader of the Opposition Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) publicly said the CoI has “caused our system not to function and has put the Territory back many years.” 

18 Responses to “Commissioner Dr Turnbull Sr blasts portion of CoI as misinformation”

  • NB (29/04/2024, 14:21) Like (53) Dislike (13) Reply
    My goodness, not you too with this holier than fish net bs. The place is a mess and it is because of the leadership and greed. Perhaps you too was served the cool aid or you bought a pair of blinders. Our people, our ‘local’ people are suffering. There is no hope in sight is there?
  • Really? (29/04/2024, 14:23) Like (51) Dislike (6) Reply
    Don’t be fooled by the narrative being painted that we are corrupt and all that. That is not us…. All the problems that we need to solve, we have what it takes and we can do it,” When you say "we have what it takes and we can do it" can you tell me who the "we" is? All I see is a mess from the minute I set foot outside my door. Roads mash up, no running water, sewage in the streets, a hill full of garbage on fire, no current. But we gonna have a great music festival...
  • Man of God. Stop. Pls. (29/04/2024, 14:25) Like (112) Dislike (4) Reply
    If you are saying that the BVI is not corrupt and the COI report is a Lie. You very corrupt, dishonest and on your way to hell.. You hear and see all that goes on in this place. Two high officials in Miami jail, many more are being investigated. .Shame on you. You are very disappointing..
    • @ man of god. Stop (29/04/2024, 15:11) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply

      Yes just look at ma** Col***$ the symbol of corruption

  • oh well (29/04/2024, 14:30) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    speak the truth, maybe you don't know the true meaning of corrupt.
  • Mary (29/04/2024, 14:37) Like (8) Dislike (34) Reply
    He is right independence is the way
  • Finally (29/04/2024, 15:10) Like (3) Dislike (36) Reply
    So happy the church is starting to fight injustice and oppression
  • cap (29/04/2024, 16:17) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    But… the BVI is corrupt. We see it every day out in plain sight, in front of our eyes. How are we misinformed?
  • 50-50 bar (29/04/2024, 16:34) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    Get a governor and a premier who are both black on one side and white on the other side. Like those aliens
    in the old star trek episode who are having a race war which is destroying their home planet. BVI and England
    fit right into that story.
  • Hmmmm.... (29/04/2024, 17:19) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    We all know the politicians and their families and close friends benefit the most from the corruption... so why does one of them think that their opinion would be credible when we all know he cannot be impartial...
    • @ Hmmmm (29/04/2024, 19:52) Like (0) Dislike (16) Reply
      I am not going to criticise this administration or the Premier. He only can work with the tools the country gives him to work with. The Premier and the members of government are the elected tools that are given a job to do by the public.
  • FACIAL EXPRESSION (29/04/2024, 18:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    is saying )> i was locked away in my closet and I escaped and when I opened my eyes everything was normal , so I can't see what all the noise is about
  • qc (29/04/2024, 18:48) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    The facts are the Westminster system that we inherited is not working.
  • Rubber Duck (29/04/2024, 19:42) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    He is correct this is not about pastor Mel this is about the bvi and future generations.
  • Maria Louisa Varlack (30/04/2024, 09:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    something has to be wrong in the united kingdom (england scotland wales and northern ireland). somwhere along the line there is a breakdown in buckingham palace in the uk parliament and in the uk prime minister office. something has gone wrong in the bvi governor's office. something has gone wrong in the brtiish virgin islands legislative council chambers building. something has gone wrong in the chief minister's office or in the premier office or whatever name you want to call yourself. some where along the line since 1968 this british virgin islands territory has been selected for terrorist groups to work inside the bvi.
  • Maria Louisa Varlack (30/04/2024, 09:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    no body in this world is to be trusted. you cannot trust politicians, doctors, nurses medical workers, healthcare workers, police officers. there is no where in this world to turn to to escape terrorism.
  • 100% Grey (30/04/2024, 15:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let me have a shot at running things. I'll show you style.......
  • musa (01/05/2024, 05:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop sugar coat and get to the point of being justice of your own selfish motivation


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