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Governor Rankin rejects Cabinet's request for copy of CoI Report!

The United Kingdom (UK) appointed Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has reportedly refused a request by the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands to be given a copy of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report. Photo: GIS
Both Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and the Leader of the Opposition Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) have confirmed they have not seen a copy of the report. Photo: GIS/File
Both Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and the Leader of the Opposition Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) have confirmed they have not seen a copy of the report. Photo: GIS/File
PASEA ESTATE, Tortola, VI- Word reaching our news centre is that the United Kingdom (UK) appointed Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has refused a request by the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands to be given a copy of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report.

It is our understanding that the request was made last Wednesday, April 6, 2022.

Governor Rankin in a press release on April 5, 2022, disclosed that he was in receipt of the CoI Report, which he described as long and detailed with almost 1,000 pages and over 40 recommendations.

The Governor also made clear that he must review the report first and maybe after Easter, if it’s in the public's interest, he “will determine whether it is made public”.

Does one-man show reek of colonialism?

Many have blasted the Governor for not sharing the report with the elected representatives, a move the residents find undemocratic, selfish, and not in keeping with good governance and transparency, when in fact the CoI hearings were held in public.

At recent press conferences, both the Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and the Leader of the Opposition Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) have confirmed they had not seen a copy of the CoI Report.

Many on social media find it “distasteful” that the report is about the Territory and its governance; however, the Governor is refusing to make the report, which has been delayed some three times, available to the leaders of the country.

Double standards

It is unclear who else locally has seen a copy or who in the United Kingdom has had sight of the report; however, the Governor said he made a copy available to the Minister for the Overseas Territories.

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.

53 Responses to “Governor Rankin rejects Cabinet's request for copy of CoI Report!”

  • asking for a friend (12/04/2022, 19:14) Like (16) Dislike (125) Reply
    This seems like racism why will he not share the report?
    • ???? (12/04/2022, 19:48) Like (75) Dislike (7) Reply
      Is anything any black person does not like now called racism?
      • Jack and Jill (12/04/2022, 23:15) Like (8) Dislike (30) Reply
        @??? It's not about black people not liking anything. The entire world hates black people. So black people have to always be extra careful and have I disect everything. I yet to know what have black people done that is so terrible for us to be hated so. All we have done is GIVE, GIVE and GIVE , yet we are hated for GIVING...
        • Ganja cultivator (13/04/2022, 16:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          Yes the early part of you comment was on track,but you strayed after.
          You said the world is against black people, that' may have high percentages of facts when you get into the nitty gritty,but that to is a misconception we have ourselves. Get serious and analyze our situation, we are the destroyers and the oppressors of ourselves.
          All we do is discredit each other and promote the other races..
          • @jack and Jill (14/04/2022, 16:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
            If the world hates Black People So What... I sure am not trying to be extra careful for any man? I am black and I don't care if they hate me. They can hate me until hell freezes over. We are here to stay. We were here first and every other human is our offspring...'if a child hates its parent that child is a Disgrace'. We don't follow their rules of governance like the others, we will burn down their system before we let them rule us and so they hate, so what? We dance to the beat of a different drummer, and you know we do that the best.. and for that 'gift' there is jealously. I guess you are stressing because parents always expect the best from their offspring, but this is not always possible. Stop stressing over something that has no importance at all. We created them... they did not create us! We do as we please in this world, as we did in the beginning and always will! We are Rulers not Followers!
      • @ ???? (13/04/2022, 01:05) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        No you look at 400 years of history
      • Mika (13/04/2022, 07:32) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
        THE RACISM IS VERY PREVALENT AMONGST THE BLACK RIGHT HERE IN THE BVI .
        • @ Mika (13/04/2022, 09:13) Like (4) Dislike (12) Reply
          Blacks cannot be racist to each other. Its call Colorism. Educate yourself before getting on a public platform looking like an A**.
      • josiah'sbay (13/04/2022, 12:53) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Colonialism, white supremacy and racism is so embedded in the relationship with the former colonialist and their former colonies the its presence can be assumed until its ruled out.
    • P-lease (12/04/2022, 21:48) Like (106) Dislike (1) Reply
      But it has nothing to do with racism. It’s a report written to him not to us. He will release it when he is ready to and if it contains the sort of things we think it might, he’s going to have his ducks in a row before anyone else sees it. Be patient and let him do his work. He has the difficult job here.
      • minute man (13/04/2022, 03:55) Like (8) Dislike (30) Reply
        @P-lease....The Dam report yes is written to him, BUT IT IS ABOUT US. WE SHOULD SEE IT.
      • @P-lease (15/04/2022, 13:38) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
        The nerve of Europeans, this is why we should seek independence. They came from the cold north with their cold hearts evaluating another man’s nation which their people left to die without support after slavery.

        They want to hold onto this report to raise hell after the Holy Holidays…typical demonic Hell Raisers! Many of them worship their money, vodka and pets not God, so what should they care about holy days. Yet they come from their countries ‘which supposedly is so great’ to live among us so called ‘corrupt’ Black people….blogging on our news sites about issues that has absolutely nothing to do with them… but they jealously wish it did! To this I say Go back home to the cold and please do not return!

        The UK itself is the most corrupt nation on the face of the earth and its people are one of the most covertly racist on the face of this planet. They should fix their own standards of governance before judging other man’s.

        If these European nations are sooo great their people would not be living in the bushes of the Virgin Islands ‘drunk’ with their Guard dogs and no trespassing signs hiding among us in their apartheid communities and schools nor typing piss on our news site! Now dislike this!!!
  • rubber duck (12/04/2022, 19:43) Like (8) Dislike (49) Reply

    We have to c****e  rankin out of here like we have gus

  • Buckingham (12/04/2022, 19:43) Like (31) Dislike (9) Reply
    wat ah ting u see who run tings we tink we in ting but london rules

    all the talks shows and stupid talk on social media cant do jack-sh!t

    the man says no and nothing can no one up in here can do

    can you imagine we went to the poles and voted for 13 people(powerless under certain conditions

    the best the 13 good for is fussing against each other just looking political office
  • just who (12/04/2022, 19:58) Like (65) Dislike (4) Reply
    The heck you people think you are? I am so glad the request was DENIED!!!. MEN FEAR WHAT THEY CANOT SEE.
  • Concerned (12/04/2022, 20:00) Like (56) Dislike (1) Reply
    The report was sent to the Governor, so why can't he be given the time to enternalize the report. I sure it has to be read with a very fine tooth comb.
    • Ummmm (13/04/2022, 11:07) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
      If the minister for overseas territories get a copy then the bvi Government should get a copy as well.
    • josiah'sbay (13/04/2022, 12:46) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      @Concerned: What are you talking about, the report is completed. Will he change any thing in the report if not then, the Government and the public have as much right to peruse it as he does. Whether it's read with a fine tooth comb or recklessly it says what it says.
    • No more stalling (13/04/2022, 22:52) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      No more stalling. COI put all the interviews on YouTube for transparency - what’s to hide or digest - share the report. NASA and US government admit to UFOs and videos are public. I think we can handle a COI report. Give it to cabinet and release it to the PUBLIC. The corruption and criminality is either real or fake - so spit it.
  • Islandboyy (12/04/2022, 20:22) Like (6) Dislike (41) Reply
    Britain will continue to treat u the way u let them,thus is what happens when you disarm ur citizens.
  • (12/04/2022, 20:23) Like (7) Dislike (49) Reply
    Why do we have a governor in 2022?
  • YESSA (12/04/2022, 21:13) Like (5) Dislike (34) Reply
    Massa says no sah. You nippers aint getting nuttin. Go pick cotton and plant cane
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (12/04/2022, 21:16) Like (63) Dislike (5) Reply
    You are perfectly right Governor John J. Rankin not to give the VIP Cabinet a copy of the CoI recommdations report. If you were to do such a thing, the cabinet may use it to stir up some people"s passion against it, and may even alter part of its contents that may exposed their inconsistencies of managing our finances rightly.
    They probably think that you are stupid, but they have some surprises coming soon. Stay on course governor.
  • UKM (12/04/2022, 21:18) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    I love it.
    • What goes Around (12/04/2022, 22:34) Like (18) Dislike (15) Reply
      Who are the Island people now,. Yep .That's how you treat Island people..Take that, a dose of you all own medicine..How does it fell? What goes around comes around. Set of cry Babies. No report for you all. .keep crying.
      • @ what goes around (13/04/2022, 02:40) Like (19) Dislike (6) Reply
        You have other issues besides the report. You need to figure out why you've chosen to live among people you obviously have issues with. The airport is still located at Beef Island if you need to use it. Just saying!
  • Agree (12/04/2022, 21:48) Like (59) Dislike (1) Reply
    The CoI report is the intellectual property of the UK FCO so the correct recipient is Governor Rankin the Queen's representative in the BVI. The learned Governor said he will review the 1000 page report with the 40 recommendations and commence selected releases after Easter. This whole process is simple to understand since politics is not involved.
  • VIP need to Relax. (12/04/2022, 22:25) Like (38) Dislike (2) Reply
    The governor already said he need time to review it and the Premier agreed and will brief us soon after Easter.... They need to relax and cut the drama and conflict out try corporate for once ..
  • Yes (12/04/2022, 22:49) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    They dame out a place who there ministra think they are Walt your turn let sleeping does lie.what the hury ,,outa place they airways thing they can do as they like and have the most say..e gland need do like the camas island and reach US alesson that lake history..to d currupt from the headey down me. Dictater
  • This is some bold S..t (12/04/2022, 23:02) Like (25) Dislike (4) Reply
    The nerve of them to want copy of the report. They really think the Governor is stupid or something.
  • he had a right (12/04/2022, 23:56) Like (31) Dislike (3) Reply
    It is the governor the report was addressed to NOT THE VIP
  • VIP aint got no shame (13/04/2022, 00:05) Like (42) Dislike (1) Reply
    The auditor general requested the small business stimulus list and up to yet she cant get it
  • Another racist (13/04/2022, 01:27) Like (8) Dislike (19) Reply
    This man is worse than Gus
  • Norris Turnbull (13/04/2022, 03:58) Like (9) Dislike (49) Reply
    When they have power and authority, they do not give a dam about you and me.
  • musa (13/04/2022, 05:09) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great news enjoy the Easter holidays home because col reports can be a lift changer for many including the dead assets.
  • Poor us (13/04/2022, 05:48) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    This just show the level our present crop of leaders are willing to sink to. They know that there is no way on earth the Governor was going to give them a copy of the report to spread all over the place before he even read it, but they still ask just to stir up passion and distrust about the report so that they can put their spin on it easily when it is made public. This is just a trick and I can see the number of people who are already irking about slavery and racism which have absolutely nothing to do about this report. If this is how our government is operating where confidential information is just banded about the place before being properly read then we are in grave trouble.
  • Tired (13/04/2022, 06:57) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    We forgot that for years now we have called for a COI. Now we got one we crying rasicm and blaming the UK. Some wished that it would have happened under a certain administration. We are crying for the so-called decolonization, self determination and Independent. It will happen eventually. The UK will be blamed for everything then as they are now. Nothing will change. It is time we stop wearing the chains of slavery. When as a race are going to stop blaming someone else for our failure? Remove the Uk issues and some people will have nothing to talk about.
  • Want 2 Kno (13/04/2022, 07:40) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Didn't the Premier say he 'agreed with the Governor that a period of review is needed?'
  • % (13/04/2022, 07:55) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can't trust the Premier with a copy of the COI report. He will redact what he does not want the public to know. Then the report will become contaminated. We can't allow that. Governor Rankin please don't let Cabinet get their hands on that report. The people have a right to know the raw, unedited facts in the report. Thank you Sir.
  • Barnum (13/04/2022, 07:56) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    The Gov must have good reasons.
    He knows who he is dealing with ...such as CSC and the wigged one. Uncouth and ignorant beyond measure. Plenty time ahead for the clowning and the circus .
  • FIRE (13/04/2022, 07:57) Like (4) Dislike (16) Reply
    A island white man runing the show, look joke. Is who voted for him.
    • TamTam (13/04/2022, 18:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      And how do the VIs, in every aspect, compare with the neighboring Caribbean Is
      Lands where Black, Blacker and the Blackest people running the show?
  • Just saying (13/04/2022, 08:02) Like (5) Dislike (14) Reply
    What is the big deal hand over the God dame fake report John rankin!!!
  • Very good (13/04/2022, 09:20) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    They want to see the report and sit together in the back room and switch things up for their own benefit. They really think people is that stupid. You claim no one has done anything wrong or nothing to hide. So sit and wait like everyone else until the Governor release the report. This is one time you guys is not going to have your own way. Agree very strongly, a man fear what he cannot see.
  • Like children (13/04/2022, 10:57) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    The way the BVI is being treated …. . Deplorable.
  • Poor Slaves (13/04/2022, 16:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad state of affairs in the BVI. Everybody treasure hunting want to get rich. No one cares for the truth. Confused by the lies we have become a ball of confusion where we fall for the silliest and simplest ploys. We in serious trouble and it's much deeper than a COI. WE need to understand who we are and do the work on self that is necessary before we can come up out of this mess.
  • Madussa (13/04/2022, 17:48) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply

    Why is he rejecting for copies to be given out? Is it only for the U.K.s eyes or he is just a pompous @#$?

  • Reply (13/04/2022, 19:41) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    I want the public to march on John rankin it’s white supremacy to not let the elected government see the report
  • down2earth (13/04/2022, 22:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Governor in his press statement stated that the report has to be read by him, discussed as to implications with UK Minister for OTs, assembly members(premier 1st?) get s a copy (discussed), public can then access. It will be in hands after Easter!

    There is no problem with the process. As the governor he has to be familiar with the material, its implications and his role in carrying out recommendations. He of himself has to have a clear (not ambiguous) understanding of the document.

    Now...patiently wait and murmur not!
  • Interested (14/04/2022, 14:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He had a right
  • Evil has a ecaf (15/04/2022, 20:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Black Man is hated bitterly,. because his identity has been stolen by those abusing him and if ever he learns the truth of himself and what had been done to him, all hell will break lose here on earth. We enslaved our people and also sold our people to be enslaved by others. We were the most advanced and organized civilization before our enslavement. The Brits takes credit for engineering re our prehistoric architecture, yet our people were the building experts. Most of the miscreants lived in caves when we carried gold and silver on our person
  • ta ta (18/04/2022, 00:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    White supremacy is alive in government house


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