Public & Press last to see CoI report 'Not Right'- Speaker Willock
The letter dated, April 22, 2022, referred to Governor Rankin’s press statement of April 21, 2022, in which the appointed UK Senior public officer laid out a timetable for the Report's distribution.
The Speaker noted that it was his “measured view” that both the Premier, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) “should have been given a copy at the same time the CoI report was received by the Governor”.
Speaker & Attorney General snubbed?
Hon Willock, who has been out of the public space for almost three months since leading a high powered delegation of HoA Members to the UK’s Parliament, noted in the letter that he had paid keen interest in the Governor’s recent statement and noted that His Excellency, “has not stated whether a copy of the Report will also be shared with the Speaker of the HoA who is head of the legislature, as per the constitution.”
The Speaker also called on the Governor to share the CoI Report with the Judicial branch as it, according to Hon Willock, “plays a pivotal role in good governance by administering justice and safeguarding our constitution.”
He further reminded the Governor that there are three co-equal branches of Government; Legislative, Executive and Judicial and called upon Mr Rankin to respect this fundamental principle, if he is truly committed to the practice of “good governance.”
Timetable is wrong! Why are press & public last?
While the Hon Speaker stated that he respected the Governor’s remit and power under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1880, he “strongly disagreed with the distribution timetable, as it sets out for the public and press to have sight of the report last.”
He reminded the Governor that the people of the UK and the international community learned about the CoI “before the House of Assembly and the residents of the Virgin Islands” and this was wrong.
The Speaker called on the Governor to “right that wrong” in the distribution of this report. Hon Willock also blasted the Governor “for presupposing that only the local politicians or the UK Ministers have an interest in the report”. The Speaker noted that the notion is wrong “as residents, civil society, captains of industry and other professionals who were called to give evidence before the Commission have an equal interest in the report and they cannot be left for last,” according to the Governors’ distribution timetable.
Revenge from a former racist Governor?
An invited comment to the Office of the Governor about the Speaker’s letter went unanswered up to publication time.
A majority of residents and the vocal class believe that disgraced former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka ‘Gus’, who many labeled as a racist, called the CoI as revenge for local push back to his violation of the VI Constitution.
43 Responses to “Public & Press last to see CoI report 'Not Right'- Speaker Willock”
Before the idiots jump on me, yes I know the Governor is also a politically appointed post, but it was his position that commissioned the report so he obviously gets to see it first.
I also agree that the public must see the report in full and without redactions (who else is wondering whether Fahie is being given the oppportunity to save some face by requesting redactions?)
The bottomline is that the Governor is delegated absolute control over the BVI. He is accountable to the FCO but in essence he is accountable to no one; he is accountable to himself. Is this democracy. The Governor /UK has the hammer and is on the loose for any and every nail in the BVI to pound with the help of the Sambos. The Sambos should get a commendation for their collaboration.
Disagree with Speaker that there 3 co-equal branches of government; there are only two, for the Legislative and Executive are one and same. There is no daylight between them.
What the Governor did was right and fair...let us see how and where the chips fall come June 2022.
Very excellent letter, for sure you will be the people's Speaker for life
Virgin Islanders have had a long history of struggle for freedom, liberty, etc. In 1901, the Virgin Islands (VI) Legislature was suspended. The Great March of 24 November 1949 led by Theodolph Faulkner was instrumental in its being reinstated in 1950. In 1968, Noel Lloyd and Positive Action Movement led agitation and protest resulted in the epic give away of Wickhams Cay and 4/5 of Anegada to Batehill being returned to the people of the VI. And in 1890, Christopher Fleming led
Villagers from Long Look to the town square and acting governor’s office to protest rising discontent, injustice and the opportunity to thrive, prosper and pursue self-determination. He and 11 other villagers were arrested and sent to Antigua to stand trial where all but one (1) were convicted and sentenced to jail time.
Moreover, when and to whom the CoI is distributed is a crucial and important issue. But equally important is the VI’s progression towards self-determination, ie, independence, freedom association or integration, controlling its destiny. However, the progress towards self-determination is in limbo, threatening perhaps a return to the pathogen of colonialism. If Virgin Islanders want the joy of liberty, freedom,and the right to pursue self-determination, they must peacefully continue the struggle. If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Further, no one or activity with power and control typically voluntarily relinquishes it; it has to be wrestled away. The UK has the power in the supposed partnership.
-——————————————————————————///-/
As a side note, hopefully they are teaching the current chiren about Fleming, Faulkner and Lloyd. We were deprived of such history back in the day.
As a
I have heard several remarks regarding the releasing of report of the COI and I considered them to be incomprehensible. I want to stress here that NO local politician or the Speaker of the House of Assembly or Social Commentators can instruct the governor to perform any function that is not in the best interest of Her Majesty. As long as the Union Jack is being flown over the territory, the Governor will be here to look into the interest of Her Majesty. And whether we would try to seek independence, there will be a limited presence of the Monarchy that is the Governor General. Only a Republican Status will remove ALL ties with the Monarchy.