From left: Chairman of Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Ronnie W. Skelton, Chairman of Progressives United (PU) Hon Julian Fraser RA, Chairman of National Democratic Party (NDP) Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) at the Political Party Leaders Debate on April 11, 2023. Photo: Facebook

The Commission of Inquiry in the Virgin Islands was led by a lone Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom (right), who was handpicked by controversial former VI Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert, left. The CoI was criticised as a witch hunt and with an objective to harm the Virgin Islands' constitutional and democratic advancements. Photo: VINO/File

Demonstration against the possible imposition of direct rule by the United Kingdom (UK) on Monday, May 2, 2022. The Commission of Inquiry Report are recommended direct rule. Photo: VINO

Demonstration against the possible imposition of direct rule by the United Kingdom (UK) on Monday, May 2, 2022. The Commission of Inquiry Report are recommended direct rule. Photo: VINO

Demonstration against the possible imposition of direct rule by the United Kingdom (UK) on Monday, May 2, 2022. The Commission of Inquiry Report are recommended direct rule. Photo: VINO

During the Political Party Leaders Debate hosted at Eileene L. Parson Auditorium H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on April 11, 2023, the leaders were asked how they felt about the CoI process and report and if they thought it was fair or had an ulterior motive.

'Process was degrading'- Ronnie W. Skelton

Chairman of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Ronnie W. Skelton said the process was degrading and appeared racist.

“The whole process, to me was, as a Virgin Islander was degrading for me…The CoI investigation, a lot of the stuff, we could have done them on our own…when I first came into government, I recognised some of these things that need to be changed and we tried to get some of them changed, some we did not- for all kind of reasons…Now here we are…that the British government had to come in and tell us we need to change some of this stuff

Mr Skelton also noted that some of the problems the CoI Commissioner highlighted, the United Kingdom also face some of them, "but they have systems to pull out some of this stuff, embarrass everybody…"

Was CoI racist?

He added that he disagrees with the fact that the UK is telling the territory when it should have a constitutional change, as he thinks this should be a decision for the people.

“I didn’t like that part of it, to see that a bunch of people of a different colour is being humiliated in a public forum. I think those days have long gone and it should not have happened,” he said.

CoI sought to 'exact blood'- Hon Fraser

Meanwhile, Chairman of Progressives United (PU), Hon Julian Fraser RA said the CoI did not seek truth but to “exact blood.”

“It was demeaning, it was degrading. I think they had their motives. Their objectives seem to have been played out with the first set of interviews they took, which were first to pull all the members of the House of Assembly- both past and present before them and they asked the question as to whether or not you had declared your interest at a particular time…and they make you answer that question like 6 times before they understood that it’s ‘no’…,” he said.

Hon Fraser noted that he had no issue with the idea of reforms but noted that the CoI also trampled on Virgin Islands' laws. One of the things he disagreed with was the CoI having access to certain things like Cabinet minutes.

“First, we undress the leaders of a country, we show to you that they are not worthy of being your leaders and then we got everything covered after that…You just couldn’t win with the Commission of Inquiry…I think that we were pretty much humiliated,” he reiterated.

'Demeaning & humiliating'- Premier Wheatley

Premier and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said despite being in agreement that it was demeaning he is proud that the people were able to come together in a bipartisan way and stave off the suspension of the constitution.

“We have to be able to tell ourselves some hard truths, and we’ve been using, including my Party, we have been using this whole idea of corruption- one Party corrupt or another Party as corrupt as a political football for political power. We have to come together as a people and recognise we are not the worse…but we have some areas that we have to improve.

“So yes while the CoI process is demeaning, while it’s humiliating, I agree with Mr Ronnie Skelton. This is something that we need to become accustomed doing for ourselves…we need to have the institutions and processes in place to be able to examine ourselves,” Dr Wheatley said.

He added that he was happy with the implementation of reforms, which need to be done in a democratic way.

Moving forward, Dr Wheatley said a bipartisan approach is needed to fix the challenges.

Hon Penn's concerns

Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) said while there were some challenges with the way the process was done the VI should now take the opportunity to rectify those issues highlighted.

He also shared the same sentiments as Hon Fraser regarding the Cabinet minutes, noting that the law of the land must be consistent regardless.

Hon Penn said he was concerned that the Auditor General's reports were read out in a public space before reaching the House of Assembly.