Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

John J. Rankin formally appointed VI’s 14th Governor

- Appointment took effect from moment Ex-Governor Jaspert left VI
In a short ceremony that officially commenced at 13:00hrs today, Friday, January 29, 2021, His Excellency John J. Rankin was sworn in as the 14th UK appointed Governor of the Territory. Photo: Governor's Office
Moderated by House Speaker, Hon Julian Willock, the event was well attended by dignitaries including the Premier Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and his wife, Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn and wife along with all serving Ministers and other HoA members. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Moderated by House Speaker, Hon Julian Willock, the event was well attended by dignitaries including the Premier Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and his wife, Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn and wife along with all serving Ministers and other HoA members. Photo: HoA/Youtube
House Speaker, Hon Julian Willock moderated the Day's event. Photo: HoA/Youtube
House Speaker, Hon Julian Willock moderated the Day's event. Photo: HoA/Youtube
During the ceremony, it was revealed by Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr while reading the Royal Commission of Appointment that the Governor Rankin’s appointment took effect from the moment Ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert departed the territory on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Photo: HoA/Youtube
During the ceremony, it was revealed by Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr while reading the Royal Commission of Appointment that the Governor Rankin’s appointment took effect from the moment Ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert departed the territory on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Photo: HoA/Youtube
The Governor in his maiden speech vowed to faithfully carry out his duties as empowered by the Constitution, Working in Partnership with the Government of the VI to serve the people. Photo: HoA/Youtube
The Governor in his maiden speech vowed to faithfully carry out his duties as empowered by the Constitution, Working in Partnership with the Government of the VI to serve the people. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Premier Andrew A. Fahie while delivering a speech at the Save the Seed Centre for the formal appointment of new Governor John J. Rankin. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Premier Andrew A. Fahie while delivering a speech at the Save the Seed Centre for the formal appointment of new Governor John J. Rankin. Photo: HoA/Youtube
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – In a short ceremony that officially commenced at 13:00pm today, Friday, January 29, 2021, His Excellency John J. Rankin, CMG was sworn in as the 14th United Kingdom (UK) appointed Governor of the [British] Virgin Islands.

With the COVID-19 pandemic shifting the event away from the traditional chambers of the House of Assembly building in Road Town, Tortola, the burgundy themed atmosphere of the Save the Seed Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola, was calm and the energy cheerful.

Atmosphere calm @ Save the seed centre 

Moderated by House Speaker, Hon Julian Willock, the event was well attended by dignitaries, including Premier Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and his wife; Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and wife, along with all serving Ministers and other HoA members.

Present also were Senior Public Servants, Members of the Youth Parliament, Distinguished Guests and others there to witness history, while observing COVID-19 protocols.

The day's event commenced in the afternoon with the arrival of Mr Rankin, who inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

Governor Escorted into the venue by Speaker 

Shortly after, the Speaker met the Governor and Andre S.L. Braithwaite and Company played music for the Royal Salute.

Governor Rankin was then invited and escorted by the Speaker to enter Save the Seed Energy Centre where the Invocation was read by Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline of the New Life Baptiste Church in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola.

Cabinet Secretary, Ms Sandra I. Ward established protocols, paving the way for welcome and opening remarks by Speaker, Hon Willock.

Governor's appointment took effect Saturday, January 23, 2021

During the ceremony, it was revealed by Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr, while reading the Royal Commission of Appointment, that Governor Rankin’s appointment took effect from the moment Ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert departed the territory on Saturday, January 23, 2021.

Mr Rankin then took the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath for due Execution of Office, administered by Madam Justice Vicki Ann Elis before the Governor and Justice Vicki Ellis signed the Oaths.

The Clerk then passed the Oaths to be signed by the Premier and all Government Ministers as witnesses ahead of a statement from the Opposition Leader, Hon Penn and shortly after, the Premier.

Governor vowed to serve VI and work with Local Gov't 

Governor Rankin will also serve as Commander in Chief of the Virgin Islands, according to the Royal Commission of Appointment from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Meanwhile, the Governor in his maiden speech vowed to faithfully carry out his duties as empowered by the Constitution, working in partnership with the Government of the VI to serve the people.

He said he recognised the determination and resilience of the VI people as evident by the strength shown when he visited the territory during the Hurricanes of 2017 and the strides that were made by the territory now as he takes up his tenure as the 14th Governor.

19 Responses to “John J. Rankin formally appointed VI’s 14th Governor”

  • long look (29/01/2021, 18:47) Like (45) Dislike (13) Reply
    Let’s hope he maintains Gus’s impeccably high standards. Best of luck gov!
    • @ Long Look (30/01/2021, 12:24) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
      Hope not as Gus was a racist
      • @@longlook (30/01/2021, 14:05) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
        Tell me precisely why he was a racist? Because he gave a factual response confirming that the BVI will not be getting reparations? That’s not his fault?
  • hm (29/01/2021, 19:00) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    I thought that Pastor Claude Overspend Skelton-Cline had been excommunicated by the New Life Baptist Church in Duff’s Bottom. I suspect that it won’t be the only time that he gets to spend time with the new Governor or his mate the Commissioner!!!
  • DON Q (29/01/2021, 20:01) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Welcome to the bvi
  • from buckingham palace (29/01/2021, 20:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let us read the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007,and accept what is written in the Constitution.
  • bystander (29/01/2021, 21:51) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's very good to get a reminder of exactly how far the powers of his Excellency the Governor extend, amongst all this childish posturing posturing directed at the last Governor. That didn't achieve anything, and from talking to people from Bermuda it seems HE Gov Rankin is robust. Good; we need it. Compare the BVI budgets since 1990 and the state of the infrastructure, including the BVI human capital. The reason there is so much expat lab our here is because local education and professional training is inadequate, including when compared to much poorer countries like SKN, SVG and Guyana, to name a few. It is very hard to arrive at a kind explanation for this.


  • Yuytyg (30/01/2021, 06:41) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    The new govenor dont keep your eye off of him the one just gone gave him all he need to know to keep pressure on the sitting government
  • akon (30/01/2021, 07:17) Like (3) Dislike (14) Reply
    Welcome to the bvi but not as governor. This historic legacy of this nonsense have to stop some way some how.
    • @akon (30/01/2021, 11:53) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Well go independant & come out from under the queen then. Until then stop the noise
  • pat (30/01/2021, 08:28) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The esteemed one put on a good programme mah bouy
  • Resilience (30/01/2021, 10:49) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    Yes we are a resilient and determind people and yes expats came after the hurricane to help rebuild but we paid through our eye teeth for their labour. Thank God our parents taught us to be independent and that is why we are hated by those who come and see our strength.
  • My girl (30/01/2021, 11:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    VINO seems to be the only news that reported on the event, did the other news not have reporters at the swearing-in?
  • WHAT!!! (30/01/2021, 11:33) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    A shame whoever was sitting in front of the lady on the stage could not keep his cell phone in his pocket while the Governor was speaking very disrespectfull
  • 911 (30/01/2021, 12:26) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply

    Another s**** m***** but it was well organized

  • Servant of the Most High God in Christ Jesus (30/01/2021, 17:46) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    WELCOME GOVERNOR JOHN J. RANKIN! I DO HOPE THAT BY THE STRENGTH OF GOD'S GRACE THAT YOUR TENDER AS GOVERNOR OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS WILL BE A PLEASANT ONE FOR YOU AND YOUR LOVELY FAMILY. MAY YOU ALSO EXPERIENCE THE WARM AND FRIENDLY SUPPORT FROM MANY THAT DESIRE YOUR SUCCESS. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR UNBIAS GOOD SERVICE.
    MANY BLESSINGS THIS DAY AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS, MONTHS, AND YEARS TO COME.
  • from buckingham palace (30/01/2021, 23:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time for reconciliation.
    That we as one people, will see us under one british system of government where we respect the governor and we respect the premier in their position under the constitution.
    Have we read the Constitution?
    There must be a governor and there must be a premier,and there must be the citizens and other residents for a country to function.
    What are we fighting for?Independence?NO. Not yet.
    Leadership from UK?NO.Not yet
    Time to move on
  • long look me come from (01/02/2021, 00:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We should have been swearing in a Governor General in an independent bvi


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.