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‘So far no evidence’ UK detective’s death ‘was a result of foul play’- Gov Rankin

- Postmortem to be performed on Monday morning, Oct 16, 2023
The body of Sargeant Paul France was pulled from a car submerged in the sea near Queen Elizabeth II Park on the morning of Saturday, October 7, 2023. Photo: Team of Reporters
A Pathologist will arrive in the territory on Sunday and a Post Mortem for Mr France will be carried out on the body of detective Paul France on Monday morning, October 16, 2023. Photo: RVIPF
A Pathologist will arrive in the territory on Sunday and a Post Mortem for Mr France will be carried out on the body of detective Paul France on Monday morning, October 16, 2023. Photo: RVIPF
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, speaking during a press conference of the National Security Council (NSC) today, October 12, 2023, said there has so far been no evidence to suggest that the death of United Kingdom detective Paul France was a result of foul play. Photo: Facebook
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, speaking during a press conference of the National Security Council (NSC) today, October 12, 2023, said there has so far been no evidence to suggest that the death of United Kingdom detective Paul France was a result of foul play. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- There has so far been no evidence to suggest the death of United Kingdom detective Paul France was a result of foul play.

This is according to Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, during a press conference of the National Security Council (NSC) today, October 12, 2023.

Postmortem to be performed

The body of Sargeant France was pulled from a car submerged in the sea near Queen Elizabeth II Park on the morning of Saturday, October 7, 2023.

According to the Governor; however, a Pathologist will arrive in the territory on Sunday and a post-mortem for Mr France will be carried out on Monday morning, October 16, 2023.

“We must await the results of that postmortem,” Governor Rankin stated.

He said precisely what occurred is not yet clear, “But I can state that there is so far no evidence that his death was a result of foul play.”

Commissioner of Police Mark Collins said CCT Cameras and interviews, including persons Mr France was with on Friday, October 6, 2023, produced no evidence of foul play.

"There is nothing to suggest to me foul play has taken place," Mr Collins said, adding that the police still have to rely on the medical expertise and the vehicle examiner.

Sargeant France was a 'fine & dedicated officer'- Governor

Governor Rankin said Mr France was a “fine and dedicated officer” whom he had the privilege of meeting on a number of occasions.

The  Governor said he has extended condolences to the family of Mr France and he was happy to know that Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has done the same.

The press conference of the NSC also included Premier Wheatley. 

22 Responses to “‘So far no evidence’ UK detective’s death ‘was a result of foul play’- Gov Rankin”

  • Real Macoy (12/10/2023, 14:07) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Very sad indeed.
    My condolences to the bereave family.
  • ... (12/10/2023, 14:08) Like (14) Dislike (14) Reply
    pure rubbish cover up big time
    • maybe (12/10/2023, 18:22) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      Maybe the video evidence for this one got destroyed too. The officer on the scene looked very intent as if he knew what he was digging for in the bag, without gloves, which is evidence.
  • caller (12/10/2023, 14:10) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hey mate there's lots of action going on at your flat and it's not on the Tele.
  • Trying (12/10/2023, 14:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This could never be right so wrong are to it
  • Hmmmm (12/10/2023, 14:26) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    If the truth ever is allowed to come out on this one we will see how the Governor will handle at as for sure no local or Caribbean people would be any where near this one.
    • @ Hmmmmm (12/10/2023, 15:24) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      I sincerely doubt that, the truth will never come out!! They are protecting the status quo quite nicely.
  • Evidence? (12/10/2023, 14:27) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply
    Start with the impossible position of the car, simple explanations dont add up. Rest in Peace Detective France, thank you for your service and condolences to friends and family.
  • smdh (12/10/2023, 14:28) Like (8) Dislike (20) Reply
    When the UK officers were accused of out drinking on the job and getting drunk while island hoping using the police boat the Governor and UK Commissioner defended them and said it was not so. Maybe if they had dealt with it from then he might have been alive. A set of hypocrites. SMDH.
    • @ smdh (12/10/2023, 20:42) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Lets not knock smdh comment. Because his statement may hold some truth to it. And if such is the case i can see them trying to case blame in something else.

      But smdh yiu are right about the island hopping
    • Pathetic (12/10/2023, 21:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Coming on here pretending you know anything. What an idiot.
  • NDP supporter (12/10/2023, 14:33) Like (34) Dislike (5) Reply
    I will never believe or trust anything these Governors and their Commissioner of Police say. They ignored the public and called us liars when we told them the out post police stations are closed most of the times. They said it is not true. Now the lady with the bakery in East End who got robbed said she called the East End police station and could not get anyone because the station was closed with no officer at the station. I guess they will say she is a liar also and it was not how she is claiming. These people cannot be trusted.
  • Oh Please (12/10/2023, 14:37) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    This is the same man who said the COI was only giving recommendations and they will be discussed with the people so an agreement could be reached together on which ones are feasible to implement. However when he received his "so called" independent report he then dictated that all 48 "pre-authored" recommendations MUST BE implemented without any debate or discussions. This is not man whose words and actions should be trusted.
  • resident (12/10/2023, 15:44) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Sometimes we think an incident is more than what it appears because it seems so improbable. We may be surprise that it was just an unfortunate accident. Let's wait on the autopsy
  • l (12/10/2023, 16:41) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is high way cover up to it's fullest you all go ahead remember it have a song say God is watching from a distance time will tell
  • hmm! (12/10/2023, 16:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    SO JUST LIKE THAT THEY FINKING PEOPLE STUPID? BACK TO THE SENDER !!!!!!!
  • The school children say (12/10/2023, 18:13) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    The vehicle was in park and the man was in the back seat,. How you mean no foul play?
  • P (12/10/2023, 18:56) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    All of you are afraid me son but what happens in darkness must and when i say must i mean must come to light there's a pay day coming
  • Not in use (12/10/2023, 20:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is the helipad in use for emergency still? Or is it now a storage area for containers? Time to do some sort of structure on that property or extend the parking so that all them parking spaces that are been taken up by hospital employees at the main hospital where the public has so much difficulties to find a place to park when visiting their loved ones can have proper access to parking. Use a trolly service to and from the worker's vehicles. Stop putting so much pressure on the people and the public who are only utilizing the parking for a short time while the workers are there for 8 hours taking up space. While we are on a different topic here but is still relevant to some plaguing issues.
    Or better the government say they built a hospital and parking for workers only.

    Condolences to the RVIPF and to his entire family.
  • HOW ALL OF A SUDDEN (13/10/2023, 08:38) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    RANKIN AND COLLINS WORD ARE RELIED ON ? ? ? WE HAVE BEEN READING ON A DAILY BASIS ON HOW EVIL THEY ARE , HOW LIE THEY ARE , ETC / SO NOW THEY HAVE BECOME HOLY OVERNIGHT , ( AS ANOTHER BLOGGER SAID YOU ARE SO FULL OF IT ) DID YOU FORGET TO WIPE WHEN YOU FINISHED USING THE TOILET ? ? ? ? ? ? YUK
  • El Demonio Negro (13/10/2023, 11:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Then that officer was so HIGH or DRUNK gooot damn. I don't need to be that tore up to party.
  • Well Well (13/10/2023, 15:45) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    This was predictable, and suggests the poor detective knew too much. The UK FCDO have blood on their hands.


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