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Dr the Hon Wheatley vows to correct tardiness of declarations of Interests

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has given the Virgin Islands (VI), Commission on Inquiry (CoI) an assurance of working towards correcting breaches regarding late declarations made to the Registrar of Interests. Photo: CoI/Youtube
Dr Natalio D. Wheatley appeared before the Commission of Inquiry on June 16, 2021. Photo: CoI/Youtube
Dr Natalio D. Wheatley appeared before the Commission of Inquiry on June 16, 2021. Photo: CoI/Youtube
WICKHAM’S CAY II, Tortola, VI – Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has given the Virgin Islands (VI) Commission on Inquiry (CoI) an assurance of working towards correcting late declarations made to the Registrar of Interests.

Appearing before the CoI's public hearing Day 12 on June 16, 2021, Hon Wheatley admitted there was tardiness with regards to some HoA Members submitting declarations to the Registrar.

Breaches would be corrected - Dr Wheatley 

“You’ve filed it on the 13th of June 2021, do you accept that you are in breach of Section 7?” Counsel to the Commission, Bilal Rawat asked in relation to submissions not meeting a March 12, 2021, deadline.

According to Section 7 (a) of the Register of Interests Act, 2006, "Where a Member fails to make a declaration within a period of 3 months from a date on which the duty to make that declaration accrue, the Member shall be in breach of the provisions of this act, and the Registrar shall within 14 days of the knowledge of such breach, submit to report of such breach to the committee," he said. 

Hon Wheatley said, “We’ll have to check that… in terms of how we interpret three months, but I don’t see it necessary to get hung up on that.

“…I can say to you very clearly that many members, including myself, have been in breach of the provision of this act, in some instances ignorance and [its] something that I would endeavour to correct moving forward?” he said.  

Registrar of Interests Act 

The Office of the Register of Interests' main function is governed by the Constitution and the recently amended Register of Interests (Amendment) Act, 2021.

It requires, among other things, for Members of the HoA, the Speaker and the Attorney General to make declarations of their interests upon the Member of the HoA taking office and secondly, on the anniversary of the sequential date in office.

CoI Council Rawat coercing witnesses?

With regards to Hon Wheatley’s questioning, Rawat also appeared to be coercing witnesses to either accept or deny accusations of breaches and infractions of the law on the spot, even in cases where witnesses have indicated that more clarity would be needed.

“It important for us to record what you are happy to accept as a breach and what you are concerned to accept as a breach,” Rawat told Hon Wheatley in one instance after the Deputy Premier indicated that he would need to clarify an issue before he confirms or deny an accusation of him violating the laws.

8 Responses to “Dr the Hon Wheatley vows to correct tardiness of declarations of Interests”

  • Timekeeper (17/06/2021, 08:11) Like (33) Dislike (2) Reply
    He doesn’t know how long three months from a certain date can be interpreted?
    Lolzzz- no wonder it takes so long to get anything finalized with Government.
  • time keeper (17/06/2021, 10:18) Like (3) Dislike (24) Reply
    Stop it he held his position and represented well.

    He already accepted what he knew to be facts. If someone tries to pile more on you should make certain of the additional information before accepting accusations which may not be accurate.

    The subtle adversarial questioning from the “counsel” gives an appearance of a trial.
    • hmmm (17/06/2021, 11:38) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
      He did what?? No mehson!! He was being very sarcastic and behaving like a poppy show. I expect better of him.
  • lodger (17/06/2021, 11:56) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    It is not a trial. It is an inquiry during which witnesses are not being accused, but merely being asked to confirm statements of fact. The aim is to show that this act leaves a lot to be desired. If the facts show that members were way late in submitting their interests and thus contravened the law, so be it. But there is no punishment!
  • BuzzBvi (17/06/2021, 14:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I like him...but is it good Governance to not know what 3 months is? “We’ll have to check that… in terms of how we interpret three months." He must be using a VI calendar that those outside of the HOA are not using. Probably only as we are not allowed to see it or anyting that we may register and interest in.
  • mickey (17/06/2021, 15:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    ha ha ha. Yeah right....This CoI takes the lid off..typically VI,no enforcement, no sanctions irresponsible and lacking , dont give a darn,another world,another world,. Amazement fo those in the real world.
  • Dribbling mango (17/06/2021, 16:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Clearly he's a tool but he does have a point that some months are longer than others. However, he was so late it doesn't matter which months he was late in! This isn't just a minor thing. It's ILLEGAL!
  • Telele (18/06/2021, 13:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When did they use threats against the witnesses? That is what you are indicating by using the word coerce.
    KMT


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