Investigate looting, mysterious death too – Resident to CoI
“In the spirit of good governance, cooperation and natural justice, I submit the following national concerns as a private resident for consideration in your Commission of Inquiry. I look forward to transparency and your commitment to the rule of law,” the letter dated May 6, 2021, reads.
“Mr (Gary) Hickinbottom, these matters are of such national importance that if your Commission fails to include these in your inquiry, then it may result in the VI public, regional, international governments and the press coming to the conclusion that your CoI lacked legitimacy, integrity, lawfulness and is a witch hunt with a conclusion already written.”
The resident, who chose to remain anyomous, said the CoI should include in their probe the widespread looting following the hurricanes of 2017, where businesses and residents, even at their homes lost millions of dollars as a result of looting.
The resident asked: “Who is being held accountable, and refund residents and businesses?”
Also, sticking to the post-hurricane era, the resident said an investigation should also be done on the security breakdown, particularly at HM Prisons.
“There were prisoners, some charged with murder, out on the streets on all the islands, and who is to be held responsible?”
Security in the VI falls under the responsibility of the Governor's Office.
Strange death
In the meantime, the strange death of Jamaican Junior Peters in July last year was a matter that the resident wanted to highlight.
“Please investigate the mysterious death of a former male employee working at the Governor’s House, who went missing for days and was allegedly found by the former Governor, Jaspert, who was part of the search team,” the letter noted.
Following the find of Peters’ body, post mortem revealed that it was an accident.
Peters was carrying out landscaping works in the Horse Path area when he was not seen for days. Search parties were also held, and his body eventually found in the bushes below.
Other issues
Another issue that was raised had to do with the lack of people of colour in the employ of the Governor’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the Virgin Islands.
“Is it that there are no qualified locals who can work in that area? Or is it the policy to exclude the local populace in contravention of the European Convention on Human Rights (discrimination)? Please inquire about this matter,” the resident said.
In terms of the recent $250 million drug bust in November 2020 involving Darren Davis and Emile Jimenez, both serving members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the resident said how background checks are made for recruits to the force should be investigated.
“Please also investigate why the British Press were reportedly made aware of the Virgin Islands CoI before the local press and government. Is this consistent with the modern partnership expressed in the VI Constitution? Is this transparency and good governance? Please have your inquiry audit the funds spent on both the former Governor (Augustus J. U. Jaspert) and former Police Commissioner (Michael Matthews) in their official capacity,” the letter said.
In addition: “Please investigate whether the former Commissioner of Police or other Police Commissioners and the former Governor or any former Governors have purchased property in the VI or received largesse and the source of their income once they demitted office.”
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24 Responses to “Investigate looting, mysterious death too – Resident to CoI”
A garbage disposal system that is not poisoning the air and causing disproportionate incidences of deadly cancers in areas of the VI.
The former governor jaspert was apart of the search team !
It’s management’s responsibility to recruit people passionate about the community vs swelling the ranks with officers passionate about money & power.
It’s a power play. The force is separate from government and to me they wanted to hire from outside they don’t want too many locals in there. Non assent of this cannabis bill may have more than one reason behind it.
When the hurricane hit they couldn’t use money and allegedly showed their true character. Weak.
Why do they call them rubber ducks anyway? They’re made of plastic. Weird. Maybe the COI should investigate that too since everyone else seems to be piling in with their personal grievances against Jaspert. I think he may be behind this scandal.
Why was this poor man having to work more than one job in the first place?
The salaries at Governor’s Office need to be revealed and transparent and the demographics of who earns what. And how recruitment takes place. Is it transparent and fair or not???
No doubt the whites earn more and the blacks a pittance, having to work more than one job even in these so called ‘Human Rights’ days the UK likes to virtue signal to the rest of the world about!
Absolute hypocrites.
Can’t even get their own house in order! Literally!
I think you meant figuratively.
You’re welcome.