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Deputy Speaker blasts BVI News over placard photo

- said placard with spelling error was given to him & accused BVI News of trying to portray him in a particular way
Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) and Territorial Member, Honourable Neville A. Smith has blasted controversial news site BVI News for posting a photo of him holding a placard with a spelling error during the Black Lives Matter protest in Road Town on June 20, 2020. Photo: Facebook
BVI News, owned by a Caucasian, has been accused of trying to hijack the seriousness of the Black Lives Matter protest at the weekend. Photo: BVI News
BVI News, owned by a Caucasian, has been accused of trying to hijack the seriousness of the Black Lives Matter protest at the weekend. Photo: BVI News
Deputy Speaker and Territorial At Large Member, Hon Neville A. Smith believed the photo of him at the Black Lives Matter march with a placard with a spelling error was a deliberate attempt by BVI News to portray him in a particular way, while hijacking the good works of the Black Lives Matter organising committee and the seriousness of the cause. Photo: BVI NEWS
Deputy Speaker and Territorial At Large Member, Hon Neville A. Smith believed the photo of him at the Black Lives Matter march with a placard with a spelling error was a deliberate attempt by BVI News to portray him in a particular way, while hijacking the good works of the Black Lives Matter organising committee and the seriousness of the cause. Photo: BVI NEWS
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) and Territorial Member, Honourable Neville A. Smith yesterday, Monday, June 22, 2020, at the Tenth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly, blasted the controversial news site BVI News.

The online news site in an article published on June 20, 2020, about the Black Lives Matter march had a photo up with Honourable Smith where a word on his placard was misspelt. The word ‘racial’ was written as ‘rachial’.

BVI News has agenda?

However, while speaking under other Business in the House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Smith noted that the poster was given to him on the day of the march by an elderly woman and he never read the placard but was “so moved that a person at her age was willing to be out supporting the cause”.

He believed the photo of him at the Black Lives Matter march with the misspelt word was a deliberate attempt by the online news site to portray him in a particular way, while hijacking the good works of the Black Lives Matter organising committee and the seriousness of the cause.

The news site is owned by a Caucasian.

Smith warns elected Members

Meanwhile, at another Sitting of the HoA, Hon Smith scolded members from both sides of the aisle about their lateness to meetings and causing the HoA proceedings to start late. He warned members to take the Chambers seriously, as their “first call of duty is the House of Assembly”.

He also added that it was not a good look as the public is watching to see elected members “walking in and out of the House during Sittings, and leaving before the meeting has ended”.

4-party HoA

Honourable Smith is one of four Territorial Members of the ruling Hon Andrew A. Fahie led-Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government that swept to power in the February 25, 2019, General Elections, gaining the second most votes.

The HoA is made up of four political parties.

The VIP holds 9 seats following the crossing of the floor of Hon Alvera-Maduro-Caines after the 2019 elections.

The National Democratic Party (NDP) has two seats and Progressives United (PU) and Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) have one seat each.

24 Responses to “Deputy Speaker blasts BVI News over placard photo”

  • wow (23/06/2020, 10:27) Like (8) Dislike (32) Reply
    lawd ha mecy, how dem cud do we boy like da? Wicked news site
  • Real (23/06/2020, 10:34) Like (9) Dislike (13) Reply
    We love you Hon. Smith. Don't worry about the noise!!
  • Strong Rum (23/06/2020, 10:43) Like (20) Dislike (6) Reply
    Hon. Smith please don’t allow matters like this gets to you. We know you are bigger than that. A misspelled word is not the issue here, the issue was the real purpose of the March. But they will quick to post such to prove a point to suit their own agenda. Continue to work hard for the people
    • @Strong Run (23/06/2020, 17:34) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Agreed. Mr. Smith, please focus more on issues at hand than on BS. We all know Teacher Linden taught you how to read and write. Sticks and stones brother. we got real issues to deal with like organising a march against these thieving telecommunications companies, figuring out next steps for our economy, putting the people's mind at ease about the financial struggles that are about to get even more real than anything they have ever experienced.
  • Well (23/06/2020, 10:45) Like (13) Dislike (15) Reply
    Well we know is the Skelton’s In charge of bvi news so if it’s anything with Vip and is humiliating them posting it for sure
    • Hush Yuh! (23/06/2020, 20:45) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      They are? I’m sure I read above that it’s a Caucasian who owns BVI News. However, a Skelton does own Platinum. Learn to put forth facts when you wish to blog. Thanks
  • BS (23/06/2020, 10:55) Like (59) Dislike (5) Reply
    BS again. You don’t need to take it to this level. That is why you people marched. To put a stop to all forms of racism. If it was given to the Minister by an elderly lady just say that and keep moving. No need to say: “The news site is owned by a Caucasian.”

    DANG!
  • annudda2cents (23/06/2020, 11:32) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    i too noticed there were a few placards with spelling errors, but i didn't think anything of it except for there was probably a positive/symbolic reason behind it. i must admit that with the house of assembly being managed with decorum, i gave the participants the benefit of the doubt that there was a reason behind those misspellings. Hon Smith, you're a passionate representative so I don't believe any of your supporters associated the misspelling of the word with your education or intellect as most of us who know you certainly know you are highly capable. don't mind the noise.
  • Theorist (23/06/2020, 11:45) Like (42) Dislike (5) Reply
    Mr. Speaker it is paramount that you read anything that someone ask you to sign or to be publicly displayed. I understand your position but just a theory. I hope you remember who handed you the sign. Ask your self did someone just threw me a curved ball [set me up????
    • Tola Man (23/06/2020, 17:41) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      I was there when the photographer took that photo,my arm is there in the photo.When the Hon.was given the plaque card he was talking to his son,the Hon. nor his son notice the sign,he then started to talk to me and a police officer.THE photographer came over and ask for photo of him and the plaque card ,he held up the card without noticing the spelling .The hurtful part of this is the photographer does say The Hon. Is his friend from softball.
  • Wasnt his (23/06/2020, 12:34) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    The placard wasn't his , he got it from a protester right then and there so you petty people just stop
  • NezRez (23/06/2020, 14:20) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The mere fact that a elderly lady proudly gave it to you should suffice. Once you stated that, you were doing fine. Don’t listen to petty people. You and the rest were peacefully marching for a good cause, and that’s all that matters.
  • DOT (23/06/2020, 14:53) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    OK so let’s move on, what else is going on in the WORLD Today.
  • The Owner (23/06/2020, 14:54) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Racism again
  • ola (23/06/2020, 15:40) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    If you dead they talk. You live they talk. You sleep they talk. You eat they talk. You have a wife they talk. You have a nice suv they talk. You have a house they talk. Let them talk. Talk is Cheap. Black people like to talk Y.
  • upfullness (23/06/2020, 15:48) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Let it die, it is like a pitcher throwing a batter a fast ball down the middle thinking he is going to strike him out and he hit a Home Run, Can't take back the fast ball.This too will pass.
  • Really? (23/06/2020, 16:29) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!! You should have read it before holding it up!!
    • wow (25/06/2020, 07:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Really? People like you needs to gtfu!
    • the block (25/06/2020, 07:58) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Sheep. Remember Baseball. When you loose every one know who was the pitcher. You are no stranger to been a public figure. You of most men will know what that come with and all you have to go through. It is so shameful to see you out there fighting down racism and people are trying their best to bring you down. Keep your head up. Do not let them see you looking down. Your people are with you. We have your back. Just remain a good public servant so even those who try to bring you down can benefit from your Labor.SMALL THINGS SHEEP YOU BIGGER THAN THAT. SMILE.
  • awww (23/06/2020, 16:46) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I didn't know about it until now so I went searching on bvi news to find it. Well, lesson learned, always check and check again so you do not risk looking bad in the end.
  • oh (23/06/2020, 19:37) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Man just move on.your name is not linguist but sheep . You don't create or invented words you use words. The haters understand what was written and its meaning. Why harassing the Honourable. Please.
  • switch (23/06/2020, 20:58) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Investigate the elderly person.
  • down2earth (24/06/2020, 11:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Few people read a sign that is handed to them in such situations. No use making a big deal... many understand what the sign meant and do understand that the word was spelt phonetically. Good effort to the creator of the sign!
  • wow (24/06/2020, 12:57) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    YOU CAN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN! WHO JAH BLESS! NO MAN CURSE! UPLIFT NOT OPPOSED! KEEP YOUR HEAD UP HON. SMITH THEY FEELING YOU!


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