Premier blasts Governor for misleading public on tardiness of Police Bill
The Bill had its first reading on Thursday, February 2, 2023, in the HoA and was slated for a second and third reading in the HoA on Friday, February 10, 2023, but was postponed to allow for more consultations, following serious concerns by the public.
Governor blames Gov’t & HoA
During a press conference called by Governor Rankin on February 14, 2023, he was asked why he was now trying to rush the Bill through the HoA weeks before an expected general election.
“As regards the timing of when the Police Act was introduced into the House of Assembly, that with respect is a matter for the Government and the House of Assembly. I would have wished it to be done earlier but I hope, nonetheless, that the act could be given appropriate consideration,” Mr Rankin responded.
‘Misinformation’- Premier Wheatley
Premier Wheatley; however, is not giving the Governor a pass on that blame-shifting.
Appearing on the International Morning Braff Show on Tola Radio VI this morning, February 20, 2023, Dr Wheatley said he was appreciative of the opportunity to clarify some of the “misinformation” presented at the news conference and one of them was concerning the Police Act 2023, and that Governor Rankin, in response to a question asked, had suggested that it was the Government who was responsible for the Police Act reaching late to the House of Assembly.
Hon Wheatley clarified that the police is under the Governor and therefore the Bill was being prepared through the Governor, Deputy Governor and Police.
He said it was last year that the former Premier Andrew A. Fahie asked him to get public feedback on the Police Bill in his capacity as Deputy Premier and Member of the National Security Council.
He said consultation meetings were held on the four main islands, including several on Tortola and as a result of the consultations there were amendments to the Bill.
Dr Wheatley said, apparently, there were additional amendments made at that particular time and the process of these amendments took very long, “and literally for months I was begging for the Police Act to come forward because I didn’t want to happen what is happening right now.”
He said he would often make the call in Cabinet for the Bill to be brought forward.
Dr Wheatley said the Bill was brought to Cabinet by the Governor the day before it was scheduled for a first reading in the HoA.
“And of course, when it became a public document and everyone would have had the opportunity to look at it we saw all these additional amendments that we who did consultations were not aware of,” Premier Wheatley said, explaining that it was still the democratic process and that legislators are unable to make changes to any Bill from the Governor until it reaches the House of Assembly.
“When that gets into the House of Assembly it belongs to the House of Assembly and no longer belongs to the Governor or the Deputy Governor.
“And that is why it then becomes a public document so that the public can look at the Bill, see some of the challenges with the Bill, which is happening now. This is the democratic process. While some people might be upset with the Bill, you don’t have to be upset. What you have to do is go through the Bill and see what needs to be changed, and then the Bill has to come to the House for debate, and based on the feedback from the public, and based on every Member’s reading of the bill, we then debate the Bill and the public has to listen to the debate to hear all the points being made on the Bill.”
Dr Wheatley further explained that after the debate the Bill would then be taken in Committee Stage where the changes to the Bill can be made based on the outcry of the people. He said once the changes are made and the Bill is passed in the House the Governor will then decide whether he wants to assent to the Bill or not.
‘I just bring the Bill on behalf of them’- Premier
“But unequivocally I can say to you, the reason the Police Bill came so late [to the House] is because of the process of making those amendments between the Governor and Deputy Governor, Attorney General’s Chambers and Police.”
“I just bring the Bill on behalf of them and when they got it to Cabinet finally, we were able to bring it in one day to the House of Assembly,” Premier Wheatley stated.
The Police Bill in its current form raises serious concerns about police being given opportunities to abuse their powers and strip the people of their human rights.
See related article below:
Police Bill 2023 raises red flags & makes way for police abuse of rights
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28 Responses to “Premier blasts Governor for misleading public on tardiness of Police Bill”
Governor
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All of you in cahoots to defraud the people of the Virgin Islands and rob them of their human rights. All of you know better. Breach of trust charges NOW! And put that on the BBC.
He was sent back to England then England sent here, no one wanted him in the other over sea’s Caribbean Territories!! INQUIRE!!
While the cats away the mice will play!
NOTE the unspecified ranting....Last year is more than a year ago. Andrew off island and not doing business as Premer since April last year ,so why omit the date when u had public input and when it was returned to the Governor for Amendment and when the amended version was received by your office ...It would not have been in keeping with the traditional slothful don't care and whenever attitude jn conducting business by BVI Gov to be efficient and timely Surprisingly it wasn't "lost " in the process,,
al rece me to get feedback
How did you come up with that math of three mths, it has been a lot more than 3 months since the expreimier was arrested.
The Premier should pick his battles. When everything is someone else's fault, there is a problem.
The UK already told everyone they take the running of the country back if there isn't some reform. Please show 'some reform'. You don't have to do everything the UK asks, but you are doing Nothing....
Stop all this drama and move along. We the people need a functional government!