VI CoI called over Fahie's resistance to UK bullying- Ex FCO staff alleges
Former ‘FCO’ staff breaks silence
Information from a former staff at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO) obtained by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) has alleged that the ex-Governor, August J.U. Jaspert, was pushed by the UK to call the CoI over Hon Fahie’s resistance to ‘bend’ to the UK’s will.
This strained relationship they said, reached a breaking point with the Premier’s refusal to sign the UK’s proposal for £300M in loan guarantees and £10M in grants to support the Territory's recovery after Hurricanes Irma and Maria of 2017.
According to the Premier, the terms of the loan was ‘far from reasonable” and in an August 17, 2019, statement he said while the loan is welcomed, the demands were not.
“The issues that we face is whether we are prepared to mortgage our birthright in order for the British government to provide the guarantee needed for us to access this critically needed funding,” Hon Fahie had said.
UK demands ‘unreasonable’ – Premier Fahie
“At present, what the UK government is demanding is in order for it to provide its guarantee is for the Virgin Islands to basically hand over almost full control of management of the territory’s finances to the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) which was set up at the request of the Uk Government,” he said.
Premier Fahie continued, “It is our respectful view that what is being demanded of the people of the Virgin Islands at this time in order to access these funds is far in excess of what is reasonable,” he said.
Sources have now indicated that the Ex-Governor, Jaspert was pushing the Premier to sign the guarantee shortly after the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government took office in 2019. The Former FCO staff also alleged that the ex-Governor was visibly upset at the Premier’s refusal to agree to the loans.
Borrowing ratios
Under the current financial ratios, the Territory is required to maintain under the Protocols: net debt of 80 per cent maximum or recurrent revenue; debt service of 10 per cent maximum of recurrent revenue; and liquid assets of 25 per cent of recurrent expenditure.
If the government violates those limits, it would be required to submit to greater fiscal controls under the UK. Section 28 of the PFEFM, which is one of the sections the VI Government will be seeking an amendment to, particularly states that a breach of the borrowing limits will constitute a breach of the Agreement.
The VI Government has also been trying to get the UK to revise the borrowing ratio for the VI to access adequate funding for hurricane recovery so that it does not violate the Protocols for Effective Financial Management (PFEFM), which the premier requested in ‘hard copy’ but never received from the UK.
Since the start of the pandemic, Premier Fahie said the government had sought to further negotiate with the UK government certain terms of the PFEFM to be relaxed or amended to allow Government to freely seek immediate relief funding in light of the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UK also refused to assist the VI financially when requested during the early stages of the pandemic year.
Michael E. Misick Speaks
Former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), Michael E. Misick had warned the VI government that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) could very well be the UK ‘going after’ Premier Fahie.
The former TCI leader in a Monday, February 15, 2021, interview with 284 Media said the UK government has shown a pattern going after Caribbean leaders who stand up to them, including himself, for being pro-independence and wanting a self-determined future for their people.
Mr Misick called for British OTs to have the confidence to manage themselves and realise that the British Government is not needed, "the British will throw you under the bus any day to protect their interests," he said.
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36 Responses to “VI CoI called over Fahie's resistance to UK bullying- Ex FCO staff alleges”
what if the indigenous in the UK, Europe, Caribbean, Africa, Australia, Asia, the middle east had stop them from stepping foot on their land/shores, what if the indigenous had killed those that did set foot on the land/ shores. you cant change or reason with them, they will always exhibit the lesser nature of mankind. the reincarnated thief will always be just that, a parasitic scum until the host develops the means to permanently eradicate it.
The power is within, use it.
I think they were doing ok by themselves.
I have this simple request, allow the people to see the documents and they proposals, suggestions so we "the people" can make informed decisions whether to support the stance of the elected or differ in stance we "the people".
KEEP FOOLING YOURSELF , ALL THOSE BLOGGING ARE YOURS
Try going to a bank for a loan at preferential rates and see how far you get telling them you will spend it on Whatever you like with them having no control.
DON'T SNITCH THEN COI BREAK THE CODE OF YOU ALL SMOKE SCREEN
What a racist cowardly move knowing he’s on his way out. Bet they don’t look into that or his temper.
We see what he’s trying to say to Fahie & the people of the VI right before he left, as if he couldn’t wait a extra day.
I don’t blame the premier for seeing him off in a different way. He got the respect he deserved. Crisp white tee, jeans & a big smile next time for the same effect.
When they recalled him earlier than planned he must have been pissed. Back at home it seems they “promoted” him to a type of head delivery boy LOL.
Certainly nobody is going to delay a COI for something completely unrelated.
This is serious business. We are seeing what is taking place in the US where Trump supporters are trying to over throw the Biden's administration. Look at CNN. We are talking of White Power. Do anyone remember Black Wall Street in Oklahoma?