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UK giving VI ‘mature, adult’ Governor signalled a willingness to turn new page- Premier

- said ex Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert labelling the VI corrupt is a 'travesty'
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, said when the United Kingdom selected His Excellency John J. Rankin CMG, left, to be the Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI), it showed a willingness by the motherland to turn a new page with the territory. Photo: RVIPF/GIS/File
Ex-Governor of the Virgin Islands, Augustus J. U. Jaspert was accused of trying to frustrate the efforts of the elected government of the VI and maliciously labelling the territory as corrupt. Photo: GIS/File
Ex-Governor of the Virgin Islands, Augustus J. U. Jaspert was accused of trying to frustrate the efforts of the elected government of the VI and maliciously labelling the territory as corrupt. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said when the United Kingdom selected His Excellency John J. Rankin CMG to be the Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI), it showed a willingness by the motherland to turn a new page with the territory.

The Premier had previously publicly described his tumultuous relationship with ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert as ‘abusive’ during his appearance before the Commissioner of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom.

“The UK has shown that they are willing to turn a page in terms of a modern partnership because they have given us a Governor now that is mature, a Governor who is an adult, a Governor who respects his ability to interpret the Constitution and even if we disagree we do so in a professional manner,” Premier Fahie said during a press conference on November 26, 2021. 

He said there would be things that the UK would want, things that the people of the Virgin Islands to aspire towards but, “at least now they have given us a Governor with experience.

“So you can see that there is an attempt to turn the page and to get a new modern partnership and the rest time will take care of itself, because if destruction is your motivation, your motivation then becomes your destruction.”

Jaspert labelling VI corrupt a 'travesty'- Premier

Turning to Jaspert’s comments during the infamous Cabinet meeting that the VI was corrupt, the Premier said it was a “travesty.” 

“I have stated clearly in the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) those, the persons that did that, had an opportunity to bring whatever evidence that they had to produce and it was never produced in the CoI along that line. Those were irresponsible statements and the persons who did them deserve to know that they need to apologise to the people of the Virgin Islands. We are not saying that the Virgin Islands is perfect but no where is [it corrupt] and that is irresponsible.”

Premier Fahie said the people of the VI has built a ‘good brand” over the years before his tenure and long after, and “we have to guard our name.”  

Jaspert eventually called the CoI to look into allegations of corruption, misuse of public funds and general wrongdoing in public office.

Sir Hickinbottom is now preparing his report to be submitted to the Governor following months of taking evidence from private citizens, government ministers and the Premier, as well as public officers.

20 Responses to “UK giving VI ‘mature, adult’ Governor signalled a willingness to turn new page- Premier”

  • BOTTOM LINE (02/12/2021, 08:52) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    The UK don't seem to trust us and its no secret why
    • Native Senior Citizen of the BVI (02/12/2021, 09:53) Like (35) Dislike (9) Reply
      @ Bottoms line:
      The UK don't trust us because we lack trust worthy leaders, and many others that support them. Amen.
    • Hatter (02/12/2021, 11:16) Like (8) Dislike (20) Reply
      The UK Givt seem to be finally realising that Gus was not the superstar that he had us believe. Thank goodness for a mature Governor.
    • The TRUTH (02/12/2021, 14:41) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
      The UK aren't trustworthy themselves, so why do you give a damn who they "trust"?
  • Shorty (02/12/2021, 09:47) Like (33) Dislike (10) Reply
    This is the leader of this country being so disrespectful to an “adult” the fomer governor who by the way has way more technical experience than the premier. You can disagree without being blatantly disrespectful as the leader of a country.
    • @Shorty (02/12/2021, 10:59) Like (19) Dislike (10) Reply
      I completely agree with you. Hands down the former Governor has wayyyy more technical experience than the Premier. A leader should not have such disrespect for anyone be it you like him or not. The Premier will soon learn not to bite the hand that feeds. Gus has nothing to lose, the Premier does.
  • IMO (02/12/2021, 11:05) Like (4) Dislike (15) Reply
    Jaspert may not consider himself a racist or use racist slurs but his actions and words reek of colonial era colonist undertones. This governor does not. So the relationship can be different. Jaspert was not a good fit for here. These things should be considered. And a black governor will not help b/c he won't see himself as a Virgin Islander either and will want to hold on to colonial era powers but the world has moved on from then. And we too can move on to a healthier more modern relationship with the UK.
  • WOW (02/12/2021, 11:13) Like (4) Dislike (22) Reply
    You guys are brainwashed badly. Seriously.

    Everyone saw jasper behave like a child and a racist. he even set our new government back with false claims and you still are attacking the VI representatives that we voted for.

    We’re highly rated in financial services and tourism both depends on our reputation, which he in his position of authority as governor tried to trash without any evidence of his claims.

    He failed as a governor. Disgracefully straining the VI - UK relationship. As to wrong doings put evidence up or shut up.

    What I can say is the new police chief is obviously doing a good job to pick up the slack from his UK appointed predecessors. I hope the new governor does a good job instead of pointing fingers.
  • akon (02/12/2021, 11:24) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    What mother land you talking about boss, you lost to reality
  • yeah (02/12/2021, 12:13) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, they so respect the new Governor that they are including him in their cartoons as well, and not in a good way.
  • BVI to the Bone. (02/12/2021, 12:58) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply
    The British will always have the colonialist mentality. They can’t help what in their DNA.
  • WHAT!!! (02/12/2021, 13:24) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just the other week Fahie talking about giving respect and now this coming out his mouth!
  • The problem (02/12/2021, 14:10) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mia Motley described Barbados during the recent ceremony for republic status as an adult nation. BVI is stuck on stupid with their motherland and mother country mentality. It might help if our leaders wake up from the Adam and Eve and Jesus fables. I am sure UK politicians and officials are quite amused. How can they have confidence and trust in persons who don't miss an opportunity to display their childish mentality and have no clue about the real world. UK knows an independent BVI with this present mentality will be nothing more than Alice in Wonderland but you can't tell these guys anything because they have more money than you. Prejudice is an emotional commitment to ignorance. The truth will set you free but first it will piss you off.
  • @The problem (02/12/2021, 14:51) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, I would agree, the BVI is stuck in the quick sand of stupidity and will continue to be stuck in the quick sand of stupidity. They are rated as a third world Country and a Shit hole County. No proper modern infer structure, no proper school system, sewer running in the streets, no proper water system, houses on the hill running a pipe for water and sewer run of eroding the hill side running down in the town, no proper garbage disposal system causing fumes and toxins to be released in the air on a daily basis and the list goes on and on. Who want to get upset can go right ahead. But, it is the truth.
  • W*F (02/12/2021, 15:39) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mess with the bull… the horns are coming!
  • You know… (02/12/2021, 16:18) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just when I want to have some faith in this guy and want to give him the benefit of the doubt, something silly comes out of his mouth. He’s like a big child. I have come to realize that whatever he accuses someone else of, he’s guilty of the very same behavior.
  • Hmmmm (02/12/2021, 18:58) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    Gus blogging all day still.
  • patience (02/12/2021, 21:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Andrew you appear to be enamored with the previous Governor.
    STo the extent,that you have belittled yourself ,disrespected your position and sj,ply cannot stop thinking and referring to him. It happens to t he best of us ,but time heals.
  • lol (02/12/2021, 21:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This one is funny


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