Calls made for investigation into 'concerning' practices of VI CoI
Residents questioning CoI motives
Key in their concerns is the CoI’s data gathering practices and to ascertain whether the Inquiry’s Public Relations (PR) campaign has been designed to coerce and sway locals into contributing information.
Sources familiar with the inner working of the Inquiry have indicated to our newsroom staff that the CoI, with its headquarters in Whitehall, London, United Kingdom (UK), allegedly employs no Virgin Islanders.
Information coming into VINO is that the Inquiry has only been employing UK nationals, including UK civil servants which in itself would question the impartiality of the commission and any of its conclusions.
It is our understanding that some members of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) have not been cooperating with the CoI, given these alleged practices.
A source familiar with the requests of the CoI; however, has indicated that the Government of the Virgin Islands is complying and has submitted over 83,000 documents to the Inquiry.
What is the true purpose of the CoI?
Many political pundits have alleged that the UK’s ultimate mission, as part of its ‘fishing expedition’ disguised as an inquiry, is to take control of the VI.
Pundits have also suggested they are seeking to take control of the Ministry of Finance, stop the VI from seeking Constitutional Reform and also stop the progress of the territory as one of the strongest black-led economies in the region.
Prominent residents, including a local clergyman Claude O. Skelton-Cline, have questioned how the sole recommendations of Commissioner and UK National, Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom could be acceptable in today's democratic-driven modern society, and at a time when UK colonialism is supposedly no longer the order of the day.
Community leader and pastor, Bishop John I. Cline has indicated that the UK would face stiff resistance should the results of the CoI lead to the UK taking power in the territory.
“We have clearly stated that we do not wish to even go back to what looks like a hint of colonialism [or] pseudo colonialism or you come in under the name of good governance and say you are taking over,” he said in the Tuesday, April 27, 2021, edition of My BVI, a radio show that is also live-streamed on Facebook.
CoI ignored subjects under purview of Governor
Many residents also continue to question why the subjects that fall under the purview of the Governor, such as security and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), were conveniently not included in the Inquiry launched by the embattled ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert.
It is also our understanding that a local online media house is reportedly working closely with the CoI to support its propaganda-driven public relations. Many persons have found this concerning, given that the working of the Whitehall-based inquiry has been largely kept private, except for what the Commissioner releases.
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39 Responses to “Calls made for investigation into 'concerning' practices of VI CoI”
We like a fly on an elephant ass.
You all making out this is some kind of invasion by foreigners. No, you've used the words "British" Virgin Islands your whole lives, so stop pretending you are outraged the Brits are 'coming in'.
This is all just pretending because you don't want no white man looking into your business and judging whether it is clean or not. If they find it isn't, you'll make out like its white oppressors oppressing you, when in fact its a bunch of lawyers and accountants asking why MY tax money went to build YOUR new house and buy YOU that giant speedboat.
And is the CoI rigged? Maybe, but the reason it exists is because the corruption is SO OBVIOUS that they want to systematically pin down who, where and when. They are not here to ask "Is there corruption?". Everyone can see there is. They are asking, "Who is doing this? When? How much? Who helped?"
I want to know who stole my tax money and I don't care if the investigator is red, green yellow, purple, white or black.
You are pretending your outrage is based on high, noble principles - but those carefully chosen 'principles' are only tools to be wheeled in when it helps you avoid scrutiny.
Iam hearing via the grapevine that persons taking th e "maiden ferry voyage" post Covid restrictions from USVI to BVI waited some( six) 6hrs post scheduled departure .
No big heading news.. no explanation...not a whisper to the public...but of course this is BVI love and normality of customer service.
So it is understandable the hesitancy by the outside to sideline BVIslanders as they are in lala land and clueless.
Accustom of getting her way..
will we see the bloggers out in public arm in arm standing tall