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Speaker chides CoI for missing document in lawyer’s bundle

-CoI Commissioner tries to downplay issue of his missing document as ‘not important’
Speaker of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Julian Willock has chided the United Kingdom (UK) sponsored VI Commission of Inquiry for documents found missing from the bundle supplied to his lawyer. Photo: GIS/Internet Source
Hon Julian Willock was at the time speaking at the CoI hearing Day 14 this afternoon, June 18, 2021. Photo: CoI/Youtube
Hon Julian Willock was at the time speaking at the CoI hearing Day 14 this afternoon, June 18, 2021. Photo: CoI/Youtube
Silk Legal Attorney Rowe G. Rowe has inquired on whether documents referenced to by CoI Council, Bilal Rawat would have supplementary documents or whether it was an omission from his bundle. Photo: Silk Legal
Silk Legal Attorney Rowe G. Rowe has inquired on whether documents referenced to by CoI Council, Bilal Rawat would have supplementary documents or whether it was an omission from his bundle. Photo: Silk Legal
WICKHAM’S CAY II, Tortola, VI – Speaker of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Julian Willock has chided the United Kingdom (UK) sponsored VI Commission of Inquiry for documents found missing from the bundle supplied to his lawyer.

Hon Willock was at the time appearing before the CoI hearing Day 14 this afternoon, June 18, 2021. 

Missing documents

While answering questions before the commission, it was brought to the attention of the Commissioner, Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom QC, that documents being referred to during the hearing was missing for the CoI supplied document bundle to lawyers representing the Speaker.

Silk Legal Attorney, Richard G. Rowe, representing the Speaker at the hearing and in a direct query to the Commissioner, said, “The bundle we received… did not include these documents.”

Attorney Rowe then inquired on whether documents referenced to by CoI Counsel, Bilal Rawat would have supplementary documents or whether it was an omission.

Commissioner refusing to admit error 

The Speaker then suggested that it could be that the CoI might have made an error as ‘people make mistakes, all the time, people are late with documents all the time’ as seen in the CoI.

Commissioner Hickenbottom, in response, then indicated to the Speaker, “But some errors are more important than others, this error isn’t important at all…” which promoted a response by the Speaker.

The Speaker, in a striking rebuke, then brought into question how the CoI can have missing documents and make mistakes; however, witnesses cannot.

Commissioner’s views speak ‘volumes’ – Speaker Willock

“I can’t believe you sit there and say that is not important… my lawyer is given a bundle with documents missing, and you don’t see that as important?,” Hon Willock asked the Commissioner. 

He continued, “It speaks volumes about this process Commissioner, and you're going to have to convince this country that you have a transparent process [and] it’s not a fishing exercise.”

Hon Willock further chided the CoI and the one-man Commissioner about how it can be right for the Commission to have missing documents, but in the case of witnesses to have missing documents, they are held accountable. 

Integrity of CoI brought into question

It should be noted that Commissioner Hickinbottom could not say why the document was missing for the bundle supplied to the lawyers representing the Speaker.

According to Hon Willock, for the CoI Commissioner to not see it as important that his Inquiry is provided bundles with missing documents, it “speaks volumes to transparency, and ethics and integrity.”

32 Responses to “Speaker chides CoI for missing document in lawyer’s bundle”

  • Bias... (18/06/2021, 20:40) Like (43) Dislike (87) Reply
    21st century British Witch Hunt!
    • Edmond says (19/06/2021, 07:21) Like (15) Dislike (35) Reply
      Rawat forgot to put the document in the bundle like he forgot to get admitted to the BVI bar
  • Local (18/06/2021, 20:40) Like (62) Dislike (121) Reply
    You all think willock a fool but he's verse and educated and can handle anyone regardless of their title, its hard to chew him because he's nail not gum stick it in your pipe you haters
    • @local (19/06/2021, 08:40) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
      I understand why you would find it necessary to point that out.
      Who knew?
      Is he of " local" origin but simply atypical?
  • ccc (18/06/2021, 21:15) Like (62) Dislike (117) Reply
    We with Willock this time
  • We Support you. (18/06/2021, 22:11) Like (88) Dislike (109) Reply
    I support Willock 100% y'all won't see it now... These racist brits need to be stand up to, they have no authority to hold anyone accountable. I enjoyed ever but of Willocks hearing.
  • kelo (19/06/2021, 00:11) Like (20) Dislike (73) Reply

    I see some dummy making all sorts of dumb comments on Facebook about the esteem and I am so embarrassed for them because they will be quite satisfied with the UK taking over this land. That is how you should stand up to a regime that had you in slave for 800 years.

    I see P*p talking crap, Ti*o talking piss, I**rid on crack. You all will love to continue to serve them but Willock did quite fine. Probably the best defense out of all of them and I am glad he told them like it is.

    Missing documents amd sh*t but you want to hold man accountable for not filing on time. It’s the same sh*t. Standards is standards. You can’t send a set of docs to one man and send another set with missing items. You trying to catch man for idiot.

    But yet you have these dumb stupid comments because they can’t see pass being a slave.

    Dean we want equal rights for all. Don’t tell me about no woman party. Women are serving on the VIP administration. The most women in the history of our politics. Smh

    • SeaCows (20/06/2021, 08:46) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Man I ain’t college but I now we ain’t bin enslave 800 years! LMFAO!
  • Challenger (19/06/2021, 01:11) Like (27) Dislike (63) Reply
    i have to say that for the most part i dont "side" with the Speaker Willock historically.
    but wow, how eloquently he stood up to the COI. how very true it is that the COI can be so flippent and casual when the spotlight is on them making an error
    Well done Mr. Speaker. well done.
    did we ever find out who was responsible for the leeked document last week. ? i recall the COI " investigated" themselves during a short lunch break and " cleared" themselves of any wrong doing. SMH.
    Maybe the head of the COI should write an essay headed..."pot calling the kettle black". or..." why i.m really here".....double spaced, no side notes, less than 3000 words. ;-)
    respectfully submitted
  • Holdem (19/06/2021, 04:23) Like (15) Dislike (37) Reply
    Speaker of the house. He spoke well!!
  • Big Wig (19/06/2021, 04:49) Like (14) Dislike (43) Reply
    They thought to make him out a certain way and took him for a fool but the speaker came out on top.

    The COI team made an error in the lawyers documents. The speaker was vindicated and wise to cast doubt on evidence based solely upon the said provided documents. It would be foolish to accept documents an adversary puts before you without double checking yourself.

    Not only that he cut to the chase. It seems when they don’t get the answer they want to hear they ask it again and again to hear it said in a way more favorable to their agenda.

    Respect them too much and that’s how they try to take advantage of cooperation. Wilock said we are equals. Boom. No taking advantage there. Next!
  • Dancing in the sunshine (19/06/2021, 07:07) Like (12) Dislike (34) Reply
    I commended the Hon. Speaker Julian Willock for standing his ground against these authoritarian descendants of British slave masters. The Commissioner was pleasantly surprised that there are intelligent people in the territory who can stand up to him. When the dust is settled and the report of the commission is submitted, the citizens of this territory will realize that all is being done for a British control of the territory. As was stated some time ago. "I will rather die and go to hell than to be ruled by the white slave master".
    • Rhymer (20/06/2021, 08:54) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      To be fair. I think most of US are more likely to be the descendants of slave masters than they are.
  • Well Sah (19/06/2021, 07:07) Like (17) Dislike (33) Reply
    Boy Wilcox I really respect you for standing up to these hypocrites. I wished that the others can do the same. Don't mind the talk. Just some racist buggers stinking up Social media.
  • boy (19/06/2021, 07:15) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    So who really leaked the information. This is troubling to me. If there is to be transparency should we be questioning who leaked information or should we not be questioning why such measures are in placed.
  • RubberDuck (19/06/2021, 07:28) Like (17) Dislike (46) Reply
    Willock got his ways but the man represented us to the fullest it was a proud day to be a Virgin Islander
  • Actually (19/06/2021, 07:52) Like (21) Dislike (36) Reply
    I heard about how rude and embarrassing Willock’s performance was but after watching it for myself I didn’t see anything wrong with what he said or did. Demanding to be seen as equals and not conceding is what you all consider embarrassing? Should he have gone in there and hung his head over and say yes sir, no sir, I apologize sir?? Come on man… He didn’t call anyone names, he didn’t cuss any bad words, etc. In classic Willock style he stood up for himself and in his view the people of the Virgin Islands. Will it make a difference? Probably not…Did it help prevent the take down? Probably not…Is our goose still cooked? Probably….
    • @Actually (19/06/2021, 10:19) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
      Our goose cooked? Not at all... in the end, they will receive their punishment for their centuries of evil towards our people. Every rat has his day! You can take that to the throne of God...who they don’t believe in!
  • Transparency (19/06/2021, 08:38) Like (13) Dislike (26) Reply
    Talk about transparency. I wonder if all the others members suffered the same fate as the Speaker. We want transparency from all including the one man show commissioner. What good for the gander good for the goose. I bet he cursed out his group of people after the Speaker made him look so small. He thinks it would be easy pickings.
    I want the commissioner to write me an essay entitled Why his mistakes are of none importance when transparency is the order for the day.
    • @Transparency (19/06/2021, 10:42) Like (5) Dislike (14) Reply
      Haaaa lol, I want that bleeding essay too! The one-man Commissioner and he rat (aka RAwaT) outta damn place. Well done representing the people and bigup yourself WILLOCK!!! God Save The Virgin Isles (that's what the lyrics to the national anthem should be from now on)!
  • Rockbottom (19/06/2021, 08:48) Like (12) Dislike (26) Reply
    Hickinbottom, are you sabotaging the COI and throwing the blame on the people. Look how easy it is for you to major screw up but when others do you want to severely punish. This is not the Slaves and Plantation oddessy. By the way what are your true intentions and why is Jaspert not here being grilled.
    It seems to me that whenever information comes up about his involvement you shut it down. Transparency as you claimed this is about should include all and Gus should be answering questions.
  • 4 O'clock Monday (19/06/2021, 11:59) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
    It would be interesting to see whether or not the Speaker will be the only interviewee who admits in writing ( an essay) that he breached the Act. We'll see come Monday afternoon.
    And... who is to say that the "missing" document was truly missing? Maybe the counsel or his staff could have removed it from his bundle prior to arrival at the office of the Commissioner whether intentionally or otherwise. Maybe it still in councel's copier. Who knows???
  • question (19/06/2021, 12:28) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    will it be an inquiry as to what happens to all the money and drugs under the custody of commissioner of police:
    • @ question (19/06/2021, 15:50) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      you will not see an inquiry into police because that department is headed by united kingdom citizen. it is common knowledge that members under his watch are involved with unlawful activities
  • Cartoon (19/06/2021, 13:15) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    Willock , "MEHSON , AYO DON'T STUDY HE , WE GOT PARLIAMENTARY RIGHTS YALL" Hickinbottom , " AH LARGE AND IN CHARGE !ME RUN THINGS ". "HEY HEY , HO HO , DEM GIRLS HAVE TO GO. "
  • yeah (19/06/2021, 17:26) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    Happy fathers day honorable speaker
  • @ TRICKY (19/06/2021, 19:57) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    WELL YOU SURE LIKE PLAY GAMES KEEP BLOGGING UNDER DIFFERENT NAMES / THW ISN'T FOR THE SWIFT YOU ARE IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING
  • £££££ (20/06/2021, 16:05) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hey vino can you do me a favor and see to it that Gus come back here to testify. After all he was the one that so cowardly requested the COI. GUS NEEDS TO TESTIFY IT IS A MATTER OF TRANSPARENCY. GET GUS A$$ HERE.
  • question (21/06/2021, 05:29) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Did anyone actually investigate Hickinbottom to se if he doesn't have any skeletons in the closet. Remember people are people.
    Another question, why isn't the past Governor and the governor's house under investigation. The spending of our tax money where the used for numerous parties for is white friends, buying new car, hiring only white people.. these are concerns that disrespectful Cindy and Kishma should be on the road screaming about.
  • Transparency (22/06/2021, 06:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I want loud mouth Cindy and Kishma to get on their megaphone and loudly and disrespectfully request that cowardly jaspert come back to testify. All the players are in the game except OUR boy Gus. Where is the transparency. Are we so busy knocking down our own that we can't see that the one that called for the COI is not even taking part? Why should he get away?
    I want transparency. This injury is so one sided and bias.
    Question: what is really going on in the tax payers white house here in the BVI? Needs to be investigated.
    Don't only blame the elected members the governor and commissioner of the past.


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