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How can you tell lies about people & then want to sue? Donald E. de Castro

- said law granting HoA Members immunity for libel & slander makes no sense
Radio talk show host Donald E. de Castro is not in favour of Members of the House of Assembly using their protection in the House to slander ordinary citizens but want to sue when they are criticised. Right: Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwn has allegedly filed a lawsuit against former Permanent Secretary Mr Julian Willock and Virgin Islands News Online. Photo: VINO/File
 Former Permanent Secretary Mr Julian Willock says it is because of some of the Members’ reckless and immature attitude in the House of Assembly that one must be careful who they vote for. Photo: Facebook
Former Permanent Secretary Mr Julian Willock says it is because of some of the Members’ reckless and immature attitude in the House of Assembly that one must be careful who they vote for. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Long-time public activist and radio talk show host Donald E. de Castro said politicians using their protection in the House of Assembly from being sued for slander and libel should not abuse that privilege to attack ordinary citizens.

What Mr de Castro found most distasteful about some politicians in the House of Assembly is that those same politicians are ready to sue when they are criticised or when the persons whose names were smeared decide to defend their character.

“I have a problem with that alleged law passed in the House of Assembly where the ministers are now immune from prosecution, that is, they can get up and say whatever they want in the House of Assembly about any individual and can’t be sued, but the same politician, If I said the same things about the same individual I could get sued,” Mr de Castro pointed out in his radio programme Straight Talk on ZBVI 780AM on May 11, 2016.

According to Mr de Castro politicians who often tell lies in the HoA about ordinary citizens should also expect retaliation and said it was ridiculous that those erring politicians would be so hasty to sue when they come in for criticism from ordinary citizens.

“How can you go into the House of Assembly and want to lie about people and talk about people and want to be immune from prosecution. That don’t make any sense to me," he said.

Be careful who you vote for

Meanwhile, Mr de Castro’s guest was former Permanent Secretary, Mr Julian Willock, who noted that the law is not unique to the VI and that it is common in other Westminster system.

But according to Willock, it is because of some of the Members’ reckless and immature attitude in the HoA that one must be careful who they vote for.

“We need to elect men and women who are responsible; that the House of Assembly should not be used as a place where you can go, because you are free from prosecution, you can tell lies on people, you can misrepresent facts, you can misrepresent a person’s character,” he said.

Mr Willock pointed out that he has been a victim of that law whereby one legislator “during a budget debate jumped up and said all sort of slanderous and libellous things" about his good name, however, he could not sue because that legislator is protected under immunity.

Hon Walwyn allegedly sues

It was on May 13, 2016 that a pro-government online news site reported that Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn allegedly filed a suit against Willock and Virgin Islands News Online.

It was the same Hon Walwyn, who on Wednesday March 23, 2016 during the House of Assembly sitting on the Budget Debate, went on a childish and self-serving rant during his contribution to the Appropriation Act 2016 about the nomination made by Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) to the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The person nominated was former Permanent Secretary, Willock. The Opposition Leader was exercising his role under Sec 91 of the Virgin Islands Constitution.

Mr Walwyn hid behind the House of Assembly where he has immunity from being sued and blatantly misinformed the public about the matter involving Mr Willock’s termination from the service.

Minister Walwyn lied to the people in claiming that the esteemed Mr Willock was fired for “misconduct” which he knows is not accurate.

VINO stands by its statement

After Virgin Islands News Online had issued a response on March 28, 2016, Hon Walwyn told local media houses that he would sue them if they published the statement.

This news site posted the statement, defending Mr Willock’s name and a lawsuit has allegedly been made out to the news site and the Chairman of Advance Marketing and Professional Services-the parent company of Virgin Islands News Online, Mr Willock.

Virgin Islands News Online has since responded that it is standing by its statement, and sought to point out the hypocracies of Minister Walwyn.

28 Responses to “How can you tell lies about people & then want to sue? Donald E. de Castro”

  • bob marley (14/05/2016, 18:13) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    "who the cap fit let them wear it"
    • @ bob marley (15/05/2016, 17:09) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      You couldn't have said it better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MW does not have an iota, modicum and smidgen of sense to dealing with any one who fight back and is not over run by him
      • dog (16/05/2016, 23:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        If one person says you have a tail, you most likely will blow him off-- but if several people say you have a tail, you had better turn around!!
  • and the beat goes on (14/05/2016, 18:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    TIT 4 TAT
  • Baldhead (14/05/2016, 18:40) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's because pressure building, temperature rising, pipe bursting, and water leaking all over the land. Can't take no more of these licks and I'm crying like a baby!
  • wize up (14/05/2016, 18:41) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    see what this wonderful place has come 2: black on black; VI Lander against VI Lander....the UK along with her representatives just sitting back until the time is right...before 2017 this territory will get a rude awakening and it is going to be our own fault.... these dammmmmm politician!!!!!
  • wellsa (14/05/2016, 18:51) Like (3) Dislike (42) Reply
    Where there, Donald sometimes you need to shut, I was so glad not seeing you around, you just don't have nothing good to say about this country. Why you think no young person would vote you in, you to dam negative. Smoke that up your pipe.
    • Ghost (14/05/2016, 20:26) Like (33) Dislike (5) Reply
      Keep talking Donald. We have to shows those demons that we are not afraid of them. They too wicked taking advantage of the country and citizens!
  • Dark Clouds (14/05/2016, 19:01) Like (44) Dislike (3) Reply
    (IMO) This Governor and these white-collar/bow-tie wearing NDP have undoubtedly made Our Country-TOXIC!!! This particular one is Just Sickening!!!
  • jokes (14/05/2016, 19:01) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    I think everyone knows who the real baby is.
    • @ jokes (14/05/2016, 19:47) Like (27) Dislike (3) Reply
      Yes tis funny man
      • weed (15/05/2016, 17:25) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
        We cannot vote for the best if they not on the ballot.

        The rich and corrupt ensure that their own servants are on the ballot!
  • Scary Mary (14/05/2016, 19:55) Like (30) Dislike (7) Reply
    People like Julian we need in our legislative counsel, people who will fight for the little man and people who not afraid to stand up. JW you got my vote ALL THE WAY
  • MCz (14/05/2016, 20:59) Like (36) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is good for the goose is also good for the gander;" however this does not apply to me because I only know how to give out blows, but too soft and temperamental to get back any. Why you think I hide behind the Laws of the House?

    Response: Well you’re sadly mistaken! It’s all in the "Laws of Cause and Effect," my friend...sorry! now enemies. Take your blows like a……?
  • Online Now (14/05/2016, 21:17) Like (32) Dislike (3) Reply
    Justice for willock to hell with Myrun
  • dog man (15/05/2016, 06:37) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    when they go too court let see which ring is biger ? Hold it up so the judge can recognized the power off the ring. God help the BVIs.
  • ta ta (15/05/2016, 10:31) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Desprate myrun must go
  • zoe (15/05/2016, 11:15) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hats off to vino and the crew for not backing down mvw is a bully
  • my two cents (15/05/2016, 12:16) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    The type of personality of the government falls on the country. You have a government with people in it who are dictators & loves confusion then you have country that is full of confusion. The NDP has destroyed the BVI in every facet. It will never be the same again. God help us.
  • truth be told (15/05/2016, 16:51) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    The fault for the NDP and the like of Myron lies on the people of this country.
  • Shalom (15/05/2016, 16:59) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whatever anyone may say here, the fault for our present political scenario lies squarely on the shoulders of the Governor John Duncan .
  • X pat (15/05/2016, 17:03) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hear Ye!! Hear Ye!! so proud that VINO stood their ground
  • we wilth the esteem (15/05/2016, 17:23) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    'WHEN THEY PUSH YOU, YOU PUSH THEM BACK; AND YOU KICK THEM"!
  • in the news (15/05/2016, 17:33) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI has submerged beneath the ocean of despair, while fanaticism imprisons the minds of citizens who tightly grasp the skirt of one, who has squandered the resources of the nation....NDP must GO
  • vi (15/05/2016, 19:49) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron Need some good soursop bush tea to calm him down. He is either paranoid or his nerves is getting the best of him. Filing that lawsuit was just plain out stupid. Willock, the people of the BVI have your back. Don't back down. Myron is running scared.
  • take note (15/05/2016, 23:07) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Myrum, you are destroying what’s left of your political career, take a lesson from mwc play book, he said, “he is not phase” by the “licks” he is receiving for his possibly and allegedly wrongdoings. Cool-out mehson.
    • Saying this (16/05/2016, 16:21) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      Maybe he is not planning to run next election. Because he know damn well not even a yard rooster will give him their vote. Myron, people forgive but, they don't forget. No matter what a person do to you, you have to forgive in order for you to move on.
  • Yep (16/05/2016, 22:44) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Myron, honestly, what is wrong with you? It's like if it is not your way, then people should hit the highway. The people of the BVI put you in office and now this is your way of saying Thank You. Like another blogger said, maybe you are not planning to run next election because no one is going to give you their vote. You are slowly destroying your political career.


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