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Hon Rymer wants to know if PSC had a say before public officers charged

- Two public officers recently charged for Breach of Trust
Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) is concerned that public officers recently charged by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) may not have been given treated fairly as public officers. Photo: VINO
 Najan Christopher, left, and Lorna Stevens, right, were recently charged by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) for Breach of Trust by a Public Officer. Both charges stemmed from separate matters. Photo: GIS/File
Najan Christopher, left, and Lorna Stevens, right, were recently charged by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) for Breach of Trust by a Public Officer. Both charges stemmed from separate matters. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) is concerned that public officers recently charged by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) may not have been given treated fairly as public officers.

Lorna Stevens was arrested and charged on October 20, 2022, for Breach of Trust by a Public Officer. This is in relation to investigations into the Elmore Stoutt High School Wall Project.

On October 11, 2022, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) announced that Director of the International Affairs Secretariat Najan Christopher was charged for Breach of Trust and False Assumption of Authority.

Police said Christopher’s charges stem from the diplomatic note sent from the Premier's office.

Questioned on the matter at a press conference today, October 28, 2022, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said he wouldn’t comment on the matters since they are before the court; however, he said those persons will have their day in court.

“All those persons who believe they have been wrongfully charged, they do have recourse through the courts. They have the right to due process. They have the right to have representation legally and we have to trust that the process will be just,” Dr Wheatley said.

Were all mechanisms followed?

Hon Rymer; however, said are mechanisms within the service that I believe could have been used instead of taking the route of criminal charges.

“As you spoke about Breach of Trust, there is a Public Service Commission that deals with disciplinary action for public officers and I am not sure if that avenue was explored before getting to the criminal side of it,” Hon Rymer stated.

The Deputy Premier said he has asked the Premier to look into the matter “because I think it is a serious one and I know public officers are hired to do their job and we all expect that they do their job with due diligence and integrity and when there are any mishaps, we would hope that there are mechanisms that we can resort to,” Hon Rymer added.

Premier Wheatley then said he would find out what actions were being taken by the Public Service Commission.

He noted; however, that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is entirely independent of government and that he was not trying to influence anyone.

Many in the Virgin Islands have called out the Governor for giving the Police Commissioner and fellow UK national Mark Collins a slap on the wrist when they believe he should have been charged for Breach of Trust, in relation to the Police in Paradise video.

17 Responses to “Hon Rymer wants to know if PSC had a say before public officers charged”

  • How stupid can you be? (28/10/2022, 17:12) Like (42) Dislike (2) Reply

    You are correct, the PSC can deal with disciplinary that includes violation of protocols, policy and procedure. Matters that are however, violation of the law, is the responsibility for police to investigate and the Courts to adjudicate accordingly.

  • Stop it. Wise up (28/10/2022, 17:39) Like (28) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is an investigation and an arrest base on evidence. .The only people need to be informed is her lawyer and tbe attorney....So. Hope the rest of them have their lawyers on speed dial..
  • Smartest of the pack (28/10/2022, 18:37) Like (1) Dislike (18) Reply
    The only person I see fit to be our next premier
    The present 1 is not ready he wasn’t ready !
    This to show across the board
    Be careful who you choose as deputies
  • wake (28/10/2022, 18:52) Like (16) Dislike (23) Reply
    They will continue to mistreat us as a people until we say enough is enough. Not condoning wrong but the governor and the chief of police needs to stop magnifying issue to back their equall justified motives in making the BVI out to be the worst the ever seen . We are back at it again Slavish mentality "once your white you're always right ". Junior Gong was spot on when he sang " Old Slave Mill Grinding Slow But Grinding Still".
  • wake (28/10/2022, 18:52) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
    They will continue to mistreat us as a people until we say enough is enough. Not condoning wrong but the governor and the chief of police needs to stop magnifying issue to back their equall justified motives in making the BVI out to be the worst the ever seen . We are back at it again Slavish mentality "once your white you're always right ". Junior Gong was spot on when he sang " Old Slave Mill Grinding Slow But Grinding Still".
  • Sleeper has Awoken (28/10/2022, 19:30) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    The sleeper looks like he has awoken, you should have stayed asleep. And did you forget that you have a District to run?
  • Big worm (28/10/2022, 20:31) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lock them up .expose them
  • WHENEVER (28/10/2022, 20:56) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    SOMEONE GETS EXPOSED , THERE'S ALWAYS SOME DEFENSIVE TECHNICALITY MOVE BEING MADE TO CREATE DRAMA , IF YOU OVERSTEP , YOU OVERSTEP / AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR LIMITS ARE , THEN YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN THAT POSITION IN THE FIRST PLACE , ( SO YO TRYING AH TING , OR WAH ??? OR YOU BEEN COACHED ???? QUESTION ❔
  • Big Slick Willie (28/10/2022, 20:57) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t interfere with justice Rymer.
  • musa (28/10/2022, 22:24) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    ok
  • Oho (29/10/2022, 00:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is Police officers and prison officers public officers? Rhetorical! Where was the querying when persons from both organizations were charged for BOT?
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (29/10/2022, 03:52) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    You know who you should asked the information or who you should answers from, Hon. Kye Rymer. Why don't you ask them. They may inform you. Do you think that you will get the answer or answers that you are seeking about why the PSC Officers have been changed? You may or your may not, because at this time confidentiality may be compromised by the political Administration, or further gathering of information s are ongoing in reference to the PSC alledged unauthorized actions.
    In my mind you are not a fool, but stop pretending that you are ignorant of who you should contact for the answers that you are seeking. The running or leadership of the people of the British Virgin Islands business is not a game, but rather an expected serious political relationship the UK'S Government, and with the people the Unity Government local boss.
  • leave (29/10/2022, 03:53) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Leave these things alone.
    Now tell me what the hell psc has to do with criminal matters???
  • Jane Public (29/10/2022, 08:55) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    I agree that it is not a criminal act as it relate to Ms. Christopher. Her case should've been dealt with by the PSC and not police at this time. If the PSC has concluded she overstepped boundaries then the Governor could pursue it as a criminal act. As it relates to Ms. Stevens, if she was involved in having persons steal money from the people of the Virgin Islands then it is a criminal act and there is no need for PSC involvement.
  • Head Coach (29/10/2022, 09:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I not treated fairly as public officer either!
    I thought I was buying shipping containers of baking soda!
    Those friendly Columbian's are always handing out thousands in cash. What wrong with not putting it in the bank!?
  • WHAT!!! (29/10/2022, 09:40) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Minister in charge of communications and works, please stop concerning yourself with this nonsense and do your job get our roads fixed.
  • one eye (29/10/2022, 14:35) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Rymer is right to much double standards and hypocrisy while the white man gone with our money


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