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On snubbing of Gov swearing in: ‘VI open country, we welcome people’- DG Archer

- New Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr weighed in on Governor Jaspert not allowed to be sworn in at HoA Chambers
Deputy Governor (DG) David D. Archer Jr, right, has claimed he does not have all the information on the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government's refusal to swear in Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka 'Gus', left, in the House of Assembly chambers back in August 2017. Photo: GIS/File
Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) Hon Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe had refused to use the traditional location for the swearing in of the newly appointed senior civil servant in the United Kingdom Diplomatic Service, Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert in August 2017. Photo: VINO/File
Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) Hon Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe had refused to use the traditional location for the swearing in of the newly appointed senior civil servant in the United Kingdom Diplomatic Service, Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert in August 2017. Photo: VINO/File
The House of Assembly had traditionally been the location to swear in United Kingdom appointed Governors until it was broken in 2017 by the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government. Photo: VINO/File
The House of Assembly had traditionally been the location to swear in United Kingdom appointed Governors until it was broken in 2017 by the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Many residents remember the controversy last year when the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government used the Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe, to discontinue with the traditional location for the swearing in of the newly appointed senior civil servant in the United Kingdom Diplomatic Service.

Background

It was over blocking the newly appointed British governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka ‘Gus’ from being sworn in at the HoA Chambers. In a series of letters back and forth between the speaker and the former Governor John S Duncan OBE, along with former Deputy Governor Rosalie Adams, they argued over the decision by Ms Moses-Scatliffe not to allow Mr Jaspert to be sworn in at the HoA.

The Speaker and many in the ruling NDP took the position that Mr Jaspert should not be sworn in at the HoA Chambers as, according to practice, he would have had to be invited and the Speaker had no intentions of issuing such invitation.

However, both Duncan and Adams argued it had been the tradition for years and some 12 governors before went there to take the oath. In the end Mr Jaspert was sworn in upstairs of the same building that houses the High Court, but not in the HoA Chambers.

Some eight elected members boycotted the ceremony as some were overseas, others on vacation, others said they were busy and some said they were not attending anyway.

VI welcomes people- Archer

It was on Sunday March 18, 2018 while being interviewed on the online radio show Fresh Radio Vybz with Paul A. Peart aka ‘Gadiethz' that newly appointed Deputy Governor (DG) David D. Archer Jr, was asked about the situation.

In his response, Mr Archer stated he was away at university at the time and does not have all the information, and that he was not sure of what transpired; however, he promised to do some research and give the host ‘Gadiethz’ a final answer.

However, the new DG added “The Virgin Islands is an open country.We welcome people and we also respect the integrity of the process, as it relates to the UK and our relationship, and I believe that is the current state.”

Mr Archer added, “I am very confident that in the future Governors will be sworn in at a place agreed by the Territory and the Governor.”

12 Responses to “On snubbing of Gov swearing in: ‘VI open country, we welcome people’- DG Archer”

  • ccc (06/04/2018, 18:25) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Taking the middle of the road
    • Rightfoot (06/04/2018, 19:04) Like (16) Dislike (22) Reply
      May sound so it is call good diplomacy. This young AG is showing that he has what it takes to be in that role.
      • Rightfoot (07/04/2018, 16:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        WOW !!! Didn't realized he was so unpopular. That is the problem with our people. Give a post to an outsider and we cry blue murder. Give the same post to one of our own and we believe that person is not suited for it. Reminds of some people who would rather what they have and don't rot than to give it to someone who really needs it.
  • Outlaw (07/04/2018, 05:39) Like (33) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think in that instance, the speaker made a fundamental blunder. At the time the HOA was not convene so there would have been no need to invite the Governor in, it was just a matter of using the chambers for the ceremony. I do hope they reflected and see where the went wrong because one thing for sure, the Brits don’t forget
  • ... (07/04/2018, 07:02) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    The usual blah blah bkah
  • Power woman? (07/04/2018, 22:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    How in Earth does she have so much power to refuse the Governor the common courtesy by not "inviting" him? Who she tink she is?
  • de silent one (08/04/2018, 02:35) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It was a lack of respect on all of those part who didn't attend the swearing in ceremony of the Governor then. It also didn't take too long thereafter for those disrespectful person to realize that the Governor was in charge.
  • Josiahsbay (08/04/2018, 06:47) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    When will we understand that the UK and its Representative are not our friends but are here to over see and control us. The UK is concerned about her best interest and we should be concern with ours. Relationship should be cordial but also truthful. We have an adversarial relationship with the UK and we should advocate on our journey towards self reliance while they consistently force acquiescence. There is nothing wrong with standing up for ourselves against them when what they think we need isn't what we think we need. A sign of maturity is when a child can tell a parent no.
  • those lips (08/04/2018, 06:52) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    The speaker oloking sweet mayson
  • Jimmy smith (08/04/2018, 11:21) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply

    This statement clearly shows why he was selected for such a serious position, he does not understand that there is a clear separation of powers. Let me break it down for you , their are three branches of government, the executive, legislative and judicial. Chief Justice Janice George Peria is head of the Judiciary, Honorable Ingrid Moses is Head of The Legislative, while the premier is Head of Government Business as an elected official,the Governor is head of the Executive. Mr. Archer is just another misguided Bvi islanders who was favored and does not understand his real role is lead his people out of ignorance



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