UK national CoP of Anguilla resigns amid controversy
According to reports, Governor Christina Scott has accepted the resignation with immediate effect of Mrs Stewart.
The appointment of the UK national as the top cop was never sitting well with the Anguillian public especially since the Commissioner’s job has always been held by an Anguillan and experienced, high level Anguillians in the diaspora had applied for the post.
The controversial statements made to the newspaper Belfast Telegraph and which was published on August 4, 2015 under the headline ‘Ardoyne to Paradise: PSNI's Amanda takes over as top cop on Caribbean island of Anguilla’ only served to compound matters.
Excerpts from Belfast Telegraph that many Anguillans found offensive
“The island is sort of split in two, there’s the big five star resorts which the Americans mainly come to as it’s deadly expensive to come here from the UK,” explained Amanda.
“The ordinary people of Anguilla don’t have that much to be truthful, it’s a real typical Caribbean island.”
“The island feels stuck in the 1960s, even the way the people act, and their culture is very respectful. They are lovely, friendly people, you have to say “good morning and good afternoon” to everyone or they think you’re cheeky,” said Amanda.
“I didn’t know what it was going to be like, I knew there had been a bit of an uprising in the 1960s but that was actually to get British rule back.
“The truth is the people here think the island couldn’t survive without Britain,” said Amanda.
“The Governor Christina Scott basically rules the place, they have their own internal government but I think British rule is accepted and it’s the way it needs to run.”
Resignation letter accepted
After calls for her resignation came from many quarters, Mrs Stewart on August 17, 2015 tendered her resignation after only six weeks on the job.
Further information about the appointment of a permanent successor to Mrs Stewart will be made in due course, according to our correspondents in Anguilla.
UK national also appointed CoP of Royal Virgin Islands Police Force
Meanwhile, the appointment of another UK national to head the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is also being debated in some quarters of the VI by some who believe there are suitable locals for the position.
This news site broke the news on August 12, 2015 that the replacement for outgoing Commissioner David Morris will be Mr Robin Smith who served as the Assistant Chief Constable of Sussex Police Department.
The Governor’s Office has since confirmed that the position of Commissioner of Police of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has been offered to Mr Smith.
Mr Smith is expected to take up his position by September 1, 2015 once his employment is formalised.
“The recruitment process for the new Commissioner of Police is in its final stages. We can confirm that an offer of employment has been made to Assistant Chief Constable Robin Smith and will be formalised shortly,” Policy Assistant at the Governor’s Office, Sue Cotton told this news site on August 13, 2015.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Alwyn James is currently acting as Commissioner of Police.
Letter from Mrs Stewart to the Governor - August 17, 2015
Further to our conversations in recent days, I am writing formally to hand in my resignation with immediate effect.
Since I arrived in Anguilla, I have given the role my all and was working hard to improve policing on this island. I oversaw the policing of a safe and successful Summer Carnival, and arranged for specialised training for all CID officers and monthly professional development training for all officers. I had commenced work on increasing the visibility of the RAPF on the streets and focused on planning to tackle serious crimes. All of this was what I had come to Anguilla to do.
Following the newspaper article published in Belfast, I have been the subject of intense media and social media criticism with calls for my resignation, not because of the job I was trying to do, but because of quotes taken out of context. As soon as I saw the article I issued an honest and sincere apology for any offence caused, but the personal criticism has continued. This has now affected my health and I have been left with no alternative than to resign and leave Anguilla.
I am sorry that I have let people down who supported me and put faith in me to do this job. I should like to take this opportunity to thank the officers of the Royal Anguilla Police Force for their welcome and support. They do a difficult job in challenging circumstances. I wish them the very best for the future as they work to keep Anguilla safe and secure.
With best wishes,
Mrs Amanda Stewart
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34 Responses to “UK national CoP of Anguilla resigns amid controversy”
to send here, that you rejecting him also. Aren't there qualified people in the Caribbean? Why these British Officers? Are they offering any local policeman a stint in the UK? Can't the people of the VI see this now as a unified plan by the UK to put white people as Colonial masters in these dependent territories? This is just the beginning. It is time to take back our country. Thanks, Anguilla, by leading by example. We are one people; let us keep one voice.
either. People, voice your opinions and keep the
while i see your point you clown can't even decide on a opposition leader without directives from this same master you speak of??? Your a joke and you are treated as such! Your comfortable with the status quo
Imagine the heffa insulting the customers she was hired to serve. What arrogrance! Good riddance! What is she apologizing for now that she is busted, for that is the way most of them roll when they are in a comfortable position among their own. Anyone remember Mitt Romney and his 47%; he was in the back room with his boys and comfortable when he spouted that nonsense.
Anguillians are not as backwards as she thinks, for they came together and demanded she be gone. However, does BVI folks have the spine to demand a fair shot for its people or it still believes if you are White you are right , if you Brown stick around and if you are Black get back. Lets stop the self hatred; love thyself.
Let's soar on the wings of eagles, not led off the cliff like buffaloes.
Wish i can shane your hand
To me such statements are totally disrespectful when referring to all members of the human race.For a society which professes so much Christianity which to me is a commendable thing! and there are so many churches per square mile; that could probably make a world record. I keep wondering " lots of Christians but very little Christianity in it's true sense. I am not taking sides just wanted to make a point as it seems to relate to this generally.
For all those who are supporting Commissioner Stewart, I respect your position, but take a look at our Anguilla, we would not be from under the yoke of the former Government of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla, if we had not become unified and fought a bloodless revolution. It was the U.K that wanted business as usual, and that is why they sent their troops to "little Anguilla". You marched, you sent the police off the island, you kept watch, you did whatever you could to move Anguilla forward. Please do not rush to call Anguillans "racist pigs"...simply put that is pushing it. We have right to maintain a voice to speak out against injustices. It was wrong for Commissioner Stewart to make such derogatory culturally insensitive remarks about Anguilla. My people have spoken, she has gone back to Northern Ireland....was this a distraction? Let us move forward in the best interest of our island and future generations....this is just the beginning for accountable talk about nationhood. God bless Anguilla and her people at home and abroad, their friends and supporters...Peace and more peace'