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‘We got a lot of energy for people who look like us’- Deputy Premier

- said persons are blind to who the real enemy is
While some persons have been protesting and demanding that Virgin Islander and Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon Julian Willock be made to pay legal fees incurred in a withdrawn case that challenged the hypocrisy and disrespect for the laws of the Virgin Islands, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said he would not sacrifice his conscience for anybody. Photo: YouTube
Protestors outside of the House of Assembly in Duffs Bottom on November 1, 2021. Photo: Facebook
Protestors outside of the House of Assembly in Duffs Bottom on November 1, 2021. Photo: Facebook
The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) was announced on Martin Luther King Day, January 18, 2021, by ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who fought with the democratically elected Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government that was strongly advocating for self-determination and preparing the Virgin Islands for the inevitable. Photo: VINO/File
The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) was announced on Martin Luther King Day, January 18, 2021, by ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who fought with the democratically elected Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government that was strongly advocating for self-determination and preparing the Virgin Islands for the inevitable. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), centre, and Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), right, have erroneously argued that the government is seeking to overturn the decision of Justice Adrian Jack. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), centre, and Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), right, have erroneously argued that the government is seeking to overturn the decision of Justice Adrian Jack. Photo: VINO/File
DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- While some persons have been protesting and demanding that Virgin Islander and Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon Julian Willock be made to pay legal fees incurred in a withdrawn case that challenged the hypocrisy and disrespect for the laws of the Virgin Islands by lawyers working for the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), Deputy Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said he would not sacrifice his conscience.

Defending VI laws

Members of the Opposition, particularly Premier aspirant and Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) have chosen to go the route of the protestors and have refused to entertain even a discussion of the facts surrounding the issue that led to Hon Willock filing an injunction to prevent three United Kingdom lawyers from working for the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) while not being called to the Virgin Islands Bar, a violation of the Legal Professions Act, 2015.

After Hon Willock did not get the support of the Attorney General (AG), he withdrew the case and Justice Adrian Jack ruled that Hon Willock was not acting in his capacity as Speaker when he filed the injunction and should pay the legal fees out of pocket. The legal fees reportedly amount to some $120,000.

Opposition tries to mislead public

Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) subsequently successfully brought a motion to the House of Assembly for the formation of a Special Committee to consider all the facts available and then consider three possible recommendations in relation to whether the House of Assembly should stand the legal cost incurred by the Speaker.

Hons Penn and Turnbull erroneously argued during the debate that the motion was seeking to overturn the judge’s decision. Hon Penn even brought a counter-motion but it was defeated for lack of votes.

During his debate on the substantive motion, Dr Wheatley, who is also the Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, rhetorically asked whether anyone would march if the Governor is to use his powers afforded to him in Section 103 of the Constitution to take monies from the Virgin Islands’ coffers to pay for lawyers defending him and the CoI lawyers.

Governor John J. Rankin has indicated he will need legal representation at his next scheduled appearance before the CoI.

Cowardly Opposition

“We got a lot of energy for people who look like us. We got a lot of fire, we got a lot of picket signs, we got a lot of bullhorns. Let the Governor use his powers. He could take up a hundred and twenty [dollars], he could take up a million [dollars], not one will march,” Dr Wheatley pointed out.

Meanwhile, Hons Penn and Turnbull have sought to argue that their position is a courageous one; however, this was picked apart by Dr Wheatley, who said the Opposition in fact has taken the cowardly route by refusing to support a democratic process to please disgruntled ears.

“And then we talk about courage, who have courage?” Dr Wheatley asked as he related that he has had the unfortunate experience of having a police officer aiming a rifle at his head more than once and another time, during a visit to Africa, a soldier waved a machine gun in his face. “And they tell me when we got out of that jam, that it aint nothing for them to leave somebody just so in the bush, you never hear from them again.

“Don’t tell me about courage. Mr Speaker, I ain’t giving up my backbone for anybody,” Dr Wheatley, who is a strong believer that Africans and people of African descent need to unite to overcome their obstacles to prosperity, stated during the 12th Sitting of the 3rd Session of the 4th House of Assembly on November 4, 2021.

‘Persons blind to who real enemy is’- Dr Wheatley

According to the former college lecturer, persons can agree to disagree on certain things; however, he wanted people to know that he would not sacrifice his conscience for anyone.

“And I say to you without a shadow of a doubt that there is an injustice taking place in this country. There is an inequality taking place in this country right now.

“There are persons who are blind to who the real enemy is right now,” Dr Wheatley asserted.

He said it was a “wise call” by the Premier to say “let’s sit down in a committee and ascertain the facts…all of those persons who are out there, who are upset, get the facts. Have a proper, impartial, dispassionate view of the facts and let’s come to a conclusion.”

Dr Wheatley also said that after the matter is taken through “a democratic process”, everyone should remain united.

“Let us not allow what the CoI has done here to divide us.”

Additionally, he pointed out that the CoI was imposed on the Virgin Islands at a time when the territory was struggling with a pandemic and hurricane recovery.

“No one can expect you to have a CoI and just lay down and let them take the country from us,” Dr Wheatley said, adding that all of the legal fees being incurred by the Government as a result of the CoI are a direct result of the decision of the United Kingdom.

Suspicious CoI

Many have argued that the CoI, being called during the COVID-19 pandemic by the UK, which has hypocritically put off its own CoI due to the same pandemic, is not interested in a just outcome and could result in the UK imposing direct rule.

The CoI was announced on Martin Luther King Day, January 18, 2021, by ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who fought with the democratically elected Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government that was strongly advocating for self-determination and preparing the Virgin Islands for the inevitable.

Mr Jaspert was accused of misinterpreting the VI Constitution to defend his actions, which were seen as provoking the elected Government. This was also revealed in the Commission of Inquiry.

35 Responses to “‘We got a lot of energy for people who look like us’- Deputy Premier”

  • breda (07/11/2021, 08:08) Like (47) Dislike (25) Reply
    The opposition knows very well what it is doing and how this can help the UK to take the carpet under us, but their hate for their own is too strong...Who would have taught history would replay in these times. jah jah will give them a good whipping
    • W*F (08/11/2021, 09:59) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      What does he mean, look like him? Bloated? Racist? Mean? Puffy?
    • DAWSON (08/11/2021, 10:02) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
      “There are persons who are blind to who the real enemy is right now,” Dr Wheatley asserted

      Na We good. We know you an what you do. We not blind. We see an we smell too an wa we smell is badness in our leaders.
  • W*F (07/11/2021, 08:09) Like (53) Dislike (12) Reply
    What on earth does what people look like have to do with anything? Racist!
    • @ WTF (07/11/2021, 09:17) Like (7) Dislike (46) Reply
      blacks cannot be racist and that is a fact. The very office of the governor is a symbol of racism, so you go figure!!!
    • Reader (07/11/2021, 13:21) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
      To WTF...you obviously did nit understand what the Minister meant.
  • wow (07/11/2021, 08:20) Like (21) Dislike (9) Reply
    Yep! C***y especially very good for that!! How the hell she going go on Tola Radio saying she doesn’t attack anyone?? Like I need to screenshot my inbox?? Time longer then whine
    • @ SMH (07/11/2021, 09:18) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
      you leave that crazy girl alone..her brother mattie will deal with her
  • zip it (07/11/2021, 08:45) Like (11) Dislike (16) Reply
    At least the carpet will get a good dusting and airing out.
  • Ok Sir (07/11/2021, 08:57) Like (34) Dislike (31) Reply
    Who is responsible for the injustice against the people of the BVI? The same ones that was elected to serve them. THE BVI IS DOOMED.
  • Please DUDE (07/11/2021, 09:18) Like (16) Dislike (12) Reply
    Worry about your few months remaining in office. THE POWER IS IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE IS GOING TO SHOW ALL OF YOU WHAT UNJUST MEANS. CARRY ON DUDE, CARRY ON.
  • Jones (07/11/2021, 09:44) Like (25) Dislike (5) Reply
    Is Natalio or Sowande or whatever he wants to call himself for all the people or just some? Is he in favour of favouritism? Will he be another minister to give back hands to his friends? Will he be able to represent the BVI in the outside world? Is he an angry politician? Whatever he is, he will be going home after the next election.
  • lol (07/11/2021, 10:20) Like (13) Dislike (8) Reply
    These from the same folks intimidating and bullying their own people
    • @LOL (08/11/2021, 17:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Exactly!!! As if the blows supposed to feel better if the aggressor looks like him.
  • resident (07/11/2021, 10:30) Like (38) Dislike (4) Reply
    Its statements like this convince me that the bvi is doomed, instead of trying to do better they keep doubling down on doing things because of race or nationality
  • JUST WONDERING (07/11/2021, 10:31) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    are those 3 lawyers working for the BVI government ? are they being paid by the BVI
    government ?
  • Short sighted (07/11/2021, 10:41) Like (48) Dislike (3) Reply
    Stop inferring that the UK is the enemy, this is not a fight between the BVI and the UK. In the last 60 years the UK has been happy to grant former overseas territories independence inluding - Bahamas (1973), Barbados (1966), Antigua and Barbuda (1981), Jamaica (1962), St Kitts and Nevis (1983), St Lucia (1979), St Vincent (1979), Dominica (1978), Trinidad (1962). The UK however has a responsibility to the citizens of its territories and before it can grant independence it needs to ensure that the territory has the ability to self govern (free from corruption) and protect its own borders. Unfortunately the BVI is currently a long way from meeting this threshold.
    • josiah'sbay (07/11/2021, 18:49) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
      @ Short sighted: Are you kidding me, free from corruption; What country, territory or nation is free free from corruption? Name one. Have you notice the most critical powers that a self-determining territory needs are the the ones the UK haven't devolved to us through the Constitution? Have the VI went backward or forward in the last seventy years? Whatever we are doing wrong can be worked on and be fixed. However so many of us have this need to be in custodial care that keeps us from maturing and becoming self sufficient and independent. We are paralyze to the point where a thought of failure render us into believing that we can't succeed even though the evidence shows otherwise.
  • Raymond (07/11/2021, 11:16) Like (36) Dislike (23) Reply
    We shall overcome someday. Burn the oppressors Babylon must fall. The UK will pay for all of this injustice against the Virgin Islands.
  • Civil liberties (07/11/2021, 13:23) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The greatest lie is that the devil does not exist.

    Tell us upholders of equality why are minorities not respected in their use of plant medicines years after the science has been published?
  • Reader (07/11/2021, 13:27) Like (29) Dislike (12) Reply
    I agree with your view 100% Hon. Wheatley.... I too was tempted tio side with the enemy...we need to be careful not to get caught up with personality issues. Its much bigger than that.
  • Smithy (07/11/2021, 14:50) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Protect your soul stand up and ask Hon. will to pay the fee
  • Hahahaha. Ur so right.. (07/11/2021, 16:09) Like (28) Dislike (3) Reply
    U all have a lot of energy for we who look like you all...Why people living here for 30 plus years cant get status, look into that...Lead by example, be the example of what you want to see...
  • Wow it’s white and black now (07/11/2021, 16:13) Like (23) Dislike (4) Reply
    When they got caught with their dirty dealings now they play their racist games ,they called this young lady who is fighting for her rights crazy and our rights as tax payers ,In 1975 I can remember it like it was yesterday morning the day when Road Town wholesale became Riteway ,MR Noel Lloyd came out of his little supermarket and got a piece of cardboard box and wrote SHOP THE RITE WAY that was around noon the night of that Saturday his supermarket was burnt down and every time he talked s out his lost the people called him crazy simply because he stood up for his rights ,there is no white man doing anything to us it’s our own people who looks like us ,a white man had to tell our ministers that they were taking advantage of our own people who looks like us in the ministry of labor and natural resources our own people ,you ha e no conscience you have no shame but the poles will tell the tale if it reaches that far .
  • trevor (07/11/2021, 20:32) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Corruption is the real enemy and it cannot be corrected if you keep denying it
    And now Nationalism is being made an enemy, thanks to foolish statements like this.
    Nationalism only teaches people to be proud of what they did not do and to hate people they never met.
    Your leading in the wrong direction.
  • Ti (07/11/2021, 21:09) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Blah,blah, blah . Go sit down . Enjoy every bit of your honourability . 14 months left.
  • Just wondering again (08/11/2021, 07:24) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    The Speakers did not employed those three disrespectal lawyers. Yes they did passed the injunction the ill minded people are saying they did it on their own ,come on sensible people, you think they we not encouraged by others even the AG but she chicken hearted. As for those who voted against the comitte and refrain they are silly. I know Frazer would not have them little boys to excell over him Fraser distance yourself please.
  • Stand up ! (08/11/2021, 09:53) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Y’all have so much hate for a woman who only trying to stand up for her country because most of y’all scared to stand up for what’s right. Because y’all rather the government walk all over y’all.

    The government using our tax money to foot $120,000 bill for willock instead of taking out money from our tax to fix schools and things that are going to benefit us.
  • Well (08/11/2021, 09:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well it is people who look like us who has been victimizing us,..not anyone else. So that's who we have energy for.
  • Well Well (08/11/2021, 11:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    look who finally showed up to work. its not too late. keep at it.
  • Free Thinker (08/11/2021, 12:56) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    They keep talking about the UK taking away their country. Can someone please tell me just when this country was given to them? And who exactly gave it yo them? Stop fooling people. The plantation does not belong to you. You belong to the plantation. Stop misleading people.
    • @free thinker (09/11/2021, 02:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      There you go again trying to convince us that we are still slaves own by the plantation. The sooner we open our eyes as to who the real enemy is the better. That is what this is all about we should know our place in this plantation. Your blog says it all who don't get yet will never get it. Racist.
  • lol (09/11/2021, 02:28) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Something is definitely wrong and not with the Government but with the Mind of the people. Can I ask a question.? Is this COI held because of the two years of the VIP Government, well if so what about the Eight (8) years before when the NDP was in Government.

    Are you all saying that this is the Case or all of us are just dam blind. It is highly impossible for anyone to tell me that two years of the VIP Government is worse in management of the British Virgin Islands than Eight (8) Years of NDP Government.

    Just look back at the last twelve ( 12) years people. For some of you all Government workers who could have retired five years ago or who can retire now, can you say where your salary would have been if the pass six (6) years increment was received, plus the five percent (5%) of the increment that was held back by NDP Government saying for development and the same time spent the Seven Million ( $7,000,000) in the air.

    It is ridiculous for a people to be so dam blind. No, I am not saying that the VIP Government is perfect but they are doing a far better job than what NDP Government did. Now if any one knows that when ever someone speaks for their Rights they are considered rude or disrespectful well that is the present situation with the VIP and the UK. The UK just want the People of the BVIs to accept what ever is push down their throat. Not that the VIP approach is correct in all the circumstances but hell yes they are representing the People better against the UK than NDP did.

    Now the other thing that is so appalling is people still coming on these blogs and talking about people living in the BVIs for 30years and stiil can not get any Rights. Oh my God. Who ever made this comment must have been dead when the fast track opportunity was given to every elligerble person residing in the BVIs. So if you are living in the BVI for over 30years and did not apply and if you applied and was not successful it just means you are not suitable. Simple.

    Do not encourage wrong, absolutely not but show me what that is happening here that is not happening in the UK or any place else.
    Can better be done Yes.


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