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'No one can tell me who to prosecute'-Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit

Director of Public Prosecutions Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit, while testifying before the SFC in December 2021, made it clear that her Department is a constitutionally independent body and is not subject to any other person or authority. Photo: Facebook
DPP Mrs Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit said her office is not an investigative body, it is a 'prosecutorial body and will only commence criminal proceedings upon receipt of a case file from a law enforcement agency, and there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public's interest'. Photo: VINO/File
DPP Mrs Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit said her office is not an investigative body, it is a 'prosecutorial body and will only commence criminal proceedings upon receipt of a case file from a law enforcement agency, and there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public's interest'. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands’ Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit told members of the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) last month, December 2021, when they examined the estimate for the 2022 Budget, that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was the “sole authority on the prosecution of all criminal matters private or public.”

She stated that “only the DPP could commence, take over or discontinue criminal prosecutions.”

While testifying before the SFC last year, Scatliffe-Esprit made it clear that her Department is a constitutionally independent body and is not subject to any other person or authority. She stated; however, that it did not mean that it was independent of the Ministry of Finance or the Department of Human Resources, and had to liaise with them with regards "to staffing and financial matters".

The first Virgin Islander to hold the post of DPP noted that she further clarified that bail, Legal Aid/Public Defenders, Administration of the Courts (sentencing decisions, decisions made by the Courts) matters of parole, and issuance of Firearm Licenses were not in her purview. In addition, the DPP corrected some common misconceptions about the department. DPP Scatliffe-Esprit said her office is not a part of the Attorney General’s Chambers; not a Government Office, but a law firm that is a part of Government.

‘Only I can Prosecute’- DPP

She further stated that “no person or authority can tell the DPP who to prosecute, what to prosecute, or what to discontinue; the decision of the DPP in whether a matter is prosecuted and how it is prosecuted is final and not subject to review or appeal”.

Mrs Scatliffe-Esprit noted too that her office is not an investigative body, it is a “prosecutorial body and will only commence criminal proceedings upon receipt of a case file from a law enforcement agency, and there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public's interest,” according to the SFC report released to the public by the House of Assembly.

29 Responses to “'No one can tell me who to prosecute'-Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit”

  • cay (23/01/2022, 11:33) Like (33) Dislike (9) Reply
    She on her high horse
  • Only in the BVI. (23/01/2022, 11:36) Like (21) Dislike (28) Reply
    Thats a born ya attitude...
  • Yes I (23/01/2022, 13:31) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wel wel where that came from i never hear them before her say things like that
  • Seriously folks read (23/01/2022, 14:21) Like (34) Dislike (4) Reply
    Its not an attitude it’s section 59 of the VI Constitution, at least she knows it and is not afraid to say it. It would help the BVI if folks would read before posting. Thanks
  • Tell them girl (23/01/2022, 15:43) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why do people in the BVI tend to stray away from true facts and reality when it presents itself.It is not her taking any type of attitude.Take the time and read SECTION 59 OF THE BVI CONSTITUTION, IF YOU CANNOT READ AND UNDERSTAND, HAVE SOMEONE READ IT AND EXPLAIN IT TO YOU SANS A LOT OF YOU CANOT READ AND COMPREHEND PROPERLY. I am just a regular person with a regular everyday job and I know what section 59 of the BVI Constitution means.
  • watcher (23/01/2022, 16:54) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    The difference is when she speaks in first person instead of third person. She should say the office of DPP.
    That's the difference.
  • eheh (23/01/2022, 17:15) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    Why did she find it necessary to present a clarification. Has there been a challenge to section 59 and her duties and responsibilities as outlined in Section59? If so, we should be informed otherwise, jus now she sounding chupid,boastful and coloured... overshadowed by insecurity.
    • Hmm (23/01/2022, 17:23) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      She need to big herself up because nobody else do
    • @eh eh and watcher (23/01/2022, 17:50) Like (9) Dislike (9) Reply
      Gee you sound like a hater . We don’t know why dpp had to tell the politicians this. She not bigging up herself. She the dpp why speak in the 3rd person? That make any sense. Tolians hate their own. You want your own i. Top spots when they get there you bring them down. This is why the vi remains last in the Caribbean, you hate your own, if it was an expat I m sure these negative comments would not arise.
  • OFFICE OF DPP (23/01/2022, 18:49) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    Its the office that does the prosecuting,not the DPP.too much about me me me me me
  • tom cat (23/01/2022, 19:01) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    You let the governor know that
  • fish (23/01/2022, 19:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well excuse we then madam
  • kk (23/01/2022, 20:39) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    She is too proud with "i". She should the office of the dpp not "i", she is behaving as though she is an absolute monarch. .
  • Old People Says (23/01/2022, 20:44) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The fruit does not fall too far from the tree.
  • Disaster (23/01/2022, 20:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This Disaster of Public Prostitution is something else.
  • Papa Legba (24/01/2022, 08:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    She need security
  • Ulysis (24/01/2022, 09:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    We the people need to see the statistics to prove the statement. Number of whites/blacks prosecuted in a given year.
    Some races in this society never commit a crime. Never beat up wife, never smoke a joint, never driving drunk.
    • NoNeed (27/01/2022, 13:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Our eyes and ears can vouch that 99.8% crime and adverse publicity, threatinng the VI economy, well being and quality of life
      In the VI is the workings of one and only one demographic portion..
  • @ ulysis (24/01/2022, 11:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I do understand your claims but, I think it's a bit off; it's not that they have not done those things as stated above but, rather it's been done behind closed doors or with a certain group of people who will not repeat such action to the public.
  • Slim Jim (24/01/2022, 12:15) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The headline is misleading... what she says in the next to last paragraph is actually "She further stated that “no person or authority can tell the DPP who to prosecute, what to prosecute, or what to discontinue; the decision of the DPP in whether a matter is prosecuted and how it is prosecuted is final and not subject to review or appeal”."

    She is speaking of the role of the DPP, not about herself personally. Lets not take things out of context. Nothing to see here... moving along.
  • Palpable pride (24/01/2022, 13:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who’s fighting her though?
  • guy hill (27/01/2022, 00:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Always continue to do and be your very best. Be Brave.


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