Speaker chides CoI for missing document in lawyer’s bundle
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.”
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32 Responses to “Speaker chides CoI for missing document in lawyer’s bundle”
Who knew?
Is he of " local" origin but simply atypical?
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
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
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!
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.
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.
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???
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.
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.