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'Too early' to tell if CoI proceedings will be live-streamed - Hickinbottom

- but said hopefully some or perhaps all of the proceedings will be in public & live-streamed
The Right Honourable Judge Gary R. Hickinbottom has revealed that it is too soon to say whether the proceedings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) will be livestreamed. Photo: VINO
The highly questionable Commission of Inquiry (CoI), which many believe was called by the ex-governor, Augustus J. U. Jaspert, to get back at the elected government over a strained relationship, is to probe whether or not there is any truth to the allegations of victimisation and corruption in government. Photo: VINO
The highly questionable Commission of Inquiry (CoI), which many believe was called by the ex-governor, Augustus J. U. Jaspert, to get back at the elected government over a strained relationship, is to probe whether or not there is any truth to the allegations of victimisation and corruption in government. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) believes the Commission of Inquiry should be open to the public and broadcast live, including on the internet, given the international interest that exists in the matter. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) believes the Commission of Inquiry should be open to the public and broadcast live, including on the internet, given the international interest that exists in the matter. Photo: VINO/File
WICKHAM'S CAY II, Tortola, VI- Commissioner of the Inquiry into governance, the Right Honourable Judge Gary R. Hickinbottom, has revealed that it is too soon to say whether the proceedings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) will be live-streamed as per the advice of Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

When the question was posed to Judge Hickinbottom during his first press conference with local media on Friday, January 22, 2021, by Virgin Islands News Online, he replied: "It's too early at the moment to determine precisely the procedure for the hearings."

He continued: "I see the force behind having proceedings in public and indeed live-streamed, and so hopefully some or perhaps all of the proceedings will be in public and will be live-streamed. But I cannot make a commitment yet because we don't know what the hearings will cover and what any procedural restrictions might be. The openness of these proceedings is of course, important."

Premier calls for live-stream 

On January 19, 2021, via a statement on the CoI, Premier Fahie said: "It is my considered view, and that of your Government, that this Commission of Inquiry should be open to the public and broadcast live, including on the internet, given the international interest that exists in this matter, and I have so advised the Governor by letter today."

He said due to the territory being heavily dependent on international business, the success of various industries rides on the territory's repetition; a reputation that was severed when the Governor made allegations of corruption existing in the territory and in the government's use of public funds.

While the Premier announced that his administration welcomes the inquiry, he said, "We have companies and individuals who are today having to face international business associates who are reading uncomplimentary reports about the BVI and its people in the international press."

He added: "The BVI's international reputation and indeed the reputation of Virgin Islanders and persons who do business in the BVI are affected by these reports that are being syndicated through and republished from the UK media houses."

The highly questionable CoI, which many believe was called by the ex-governor to get back at the elected government over a strained relationship, is to probe whether or not there is any truth to the allegations of victimisation and corruption in government.

7 Responses to “'Too early' to tell if CoI proceedings will be live-streamed - Hickinbottom”

  • cnn (25/01/2021, 14:23) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    If it’s not live then I will have lots of questions about their true intentions
  • What's the rush (25/01/2021, 14:40) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is Cabinet meetings concerning the people's business stream live,,,,No,. We were promised that during the election but it never happened because it's not the right thing to do, I agree with keeping it the way it is,,,,So Why pushed for this inquiry to go live,. That's not the right thing to do,. The defense strategy is to intimidate, frustrate and bully the system and the people taking part,,,,,, The government will have will have about 2 lawyers plus official observes in the room to insure the process is fair and balance,, That's very good,,,,
  • Challenger (25/01/2021, 15:29) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    how can peoples anonimity be kept private is there is a public exposure of the facts.

    i would think that this will be tricky to do.....transparency is essentali for this to work but you must ensure that those who wish to remain unknown to the public...are protected. the islands too small...people will even know whonis speaking just by their voice.
    • @ Challenger (26/01/2021, 10:57) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      If you are telling the truth there should be no anonimity. You run to the Governor with your gosdip and now you want to be anonimous.
  • Catholicism name (26/01/2021, 01:09) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    What kind of last name is that, Hickinbottom
  • EAGLE EYE (26/01/2021, 10:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess like we have Duff Bottom and Free Bottom. These UK names ahhhh!
  • nope (26/01/2021, 19:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Live streaming the proceedings will intimidate some persons who will have to testify and will leave them open to the same victimization that the COI is trying to root out. Cabinet meetings are done in private, only parts of House of Assembly meetings are public with portions being private. Government departmental meetings are private so why make the COI public. The BVI is small, this is our home and some of us have nowhere else to go.


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