'Insensitive' Governor to hold press conference with CoI Commissioner
According to a correspondence from the Governor’s Office, the Governor will officially hand over the Inquiry to The Right Honourable Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom at the media briefing scheduled for the ‘Tortola Room’ of the Arbitration Centre, Wickham’s Cay II, Tortola, at 12:00pm.
Governor Jaspert, who it is alleged has been antagonistic towards the elected Government of Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) announced the CoI on Monday, January 18, 2021.
He had also disclosed that he had named Mr Hickinbottom to lead the Commission of Inquiry.
According to a press statement from the Governor’s Office today, January 21, 2021, Sir Gary will look into whether there is information that corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty in relation to officials - elected, statutory or public - may have taken place in recent years. If so, the Commission will consider the conditions which allowed this to take place and make independent recommendations for improvement.
Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom
Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, Sir Gary served as a Lord Justice of Appeal, one of the most senior judges in the UK and brings to the Commission more than 45 years of experience in the law, the Governor’s Office stated.
During his twenty years as a judge, Sir Gary heard the full range of civil and criminal cases and supervised public law challenges in both the Administrative Court and the Court of Appeal. Prior to becoming a judge his legal experience as a solicitor and as a partner in a London law firm included both commercial cases and pro bono and human rights work on Caribbean death row cases. Sir Gary regularly speaks at diversity conferences and seminars, particularly on issues relating to diversity within the legal profession and the judiciary. He was appointed a Privy Counsellor to HM The Queen in 2017.
The Governor’s Office said the decision to appoint Sir Gary to lead the Inquiry was based on his judicial experience, qualifications and effectiveness “so the best possible outcomes for the people of BVI can be guaranteed.”
Questionable & insensitive action by Governor
Many Virgin Islanders have stated while they are aware that corruption may exist in the Vi just as in any other country, including the UK, the move to issue a CoI is highly “questionable” especially since it is no secret the Governor has been at loggerheads with the elected Government.
The controversial Governor was already heavily critcised late last year for what many deemed as insensitive remarks on reparations for slavery and for stating that the VI should preserve the names of landmarks named after perpetrators of chattel slavery, brutality and crimes against humanity.
His perceived insensitivity to descendants of slaves has again come into question with him choosing Martin Luther King Jr Day to announce he had issued a Commission of Inquiry into Governance, throwing the VI into a highly negative light on the international scene.
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30 Responses to “'Insensitive' Governor to hold press conference with CoI Commissioner”
Wall V walwyn
Pier Park Vanterpool
There’s more but y’all 3 in specific should be shaking in y’all seat right now. Pop the popcorn this is a show to watch!!
Those who paid for the cookie jar have everything to gain.
Why the need fora press conference but he don’t want to
hold the inquiry in public?
The Governor behaving really bias and improper.
The people of the BVI will not forget your media campaign Governor especially with how you ensure the U.K. press printed this thing as if persons already convicted.
You ever see the DPP hold a press conference with a Judge. Stupidness.
School children saying that the leaving police commissioner is via for new positions as head of customs..
Elections are won with votes in the ballot boxes and not with the assistance of Commissioner of inquires. Since the last General Election when the VIP won handsomely, many in the territory were shocked to see the result. However, if the governor thinks that he will have a change of government through the Commissioner of Inquiry, the electorates will disappoint him because if another election is call the results will be the same. I do hope that the people of this territory will not be fooled. From the remarks of the leader of the opposition after the Governor announcement of the COI, there seems to be a sudden raise of confidence in him. However, I know who has the final say and it is GOD. Wai and see.
We appreciatef any one who have the best inteterest of the BVI at heart but we are against colonization and are convinced that this is what this matter is about. We need to put our personal and political greviences aside and see it for what it is.
Cause that the only way to overcome our biter struggles
Bob Marley