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CoI report did not touch Governor’s Court Portfolio- SFC

Registrar of the Supreme Court Mrs Vareen C. Vanterpool-Nibbs testified before the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee (SFC) that the judiciary, under Governor John J. Rankin, was never a part of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI). Photo: File
From left: Governor John J. Rankin, CMG and CoI Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom. Many residents, talk show hosts and commentators continue to ask why the one-man United Kingdom-sponsored Commission of Inquiry (CoI) did not touch any matters under the Governor's portfolio. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Governor John J. Rankin, CMG and CoI Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom. Many residents, talk show hosts and commentators continue to ask why the one-man United Kingdom-sponsored Commission of Inquiry (CoI) did not touch any matters under the Governor's portfolio. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Many residents, talk show hosts and commentators continue to ask why the one-man United Kingdom-sponsored Commission of Inquiry (CoI) did not touch any matters under the Governor's portfolio. Many have used this fact to claim that the CoI was biased and a witch hunt against those who spoke out against racism and colonialism, with an attempt to destabilise the nation and brand residents as corrupt.

Others have opined that it’s the old British game practice for centuries, as they engaged a retired Judge Gary R. Hickinbottom with a mandate to do the dirty hit job on residents and the Government of the day.

Courts left out

The fact that the courts or the judicial system under Governor John J. Rankin's portfolio were never part of the CoI was confirmed last month by Registrar of the Supreme Court Mrs Vareen C. Vanterpool-Nibbs while testifying before the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee (SFC).

She noted that “the CoI report did not cover recommendations for the Supreme Court therefore, no provision is made in the budget in relation to that matter”.

However, she did mention one item that came up aside was the Jury Act.

The Police Force, another of the Governor's portfolio, was not touched.

After confirming that the CoI did not touch the courts, Mrs Vanterpool-Nibbs gave legislators a laundry list of some other needs of both the Supreme and Commercial Courts.

Other request from the Courts

The Court Registrar stated the needs are:

1. Another computerised scoping contract (scoping relates to preparation of transcripts);

2. Continuation of the contract for the Consultant hired last year;

3. Hiring another SAO for the court reporting unit to increase the output from the unit. Additionally, the Commercial Court budget has a shortfall in Rent. This could create a financial hardship because there is a commitment to hiring two Judges; and

4. Replacement of the old vehicle.

While the Territorial and Opposition Member, Hon Carvin Malone stated that “the administration of justice is critical to the survival of the territory,” it is unclear what was approved of the requests made by the Court Registrar.

36 Responses to “CoI report did not touch Governor’s Court Portfolio- SFC”

  • HMMM (17/01/2023, 16:13) Like (13) Dislike (12) Reply
    I keep telling everyone that the pre-arranged COI was a well-organized modern lynching.
    • RUM (17/01/2023, 16:39) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
      Love the way Vino says many people ask a question about the COI when actually only the usual few are doing that. Meanwhile life moves on.
      • @ rum (17/01/2023, 18:59) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
        People does talk trust me you don’t hear everything
        • RUM (18/01/2023, 04:54) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
          I didn’t claim to hear everything.
          What I do know is that I don’t hear many who agree with Vino.
      • @Rum (18/01/2023, 11:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        The usual few? You must have taken a survey? Anyway, we have no one to blame but ourselves for allowing the colonizers the privilege to live on our lands and control or government for so long. This 'great white hope' mind manipulation tactic is 'old evil' that must be eradicated from the world's consciousness immediately. IMMEDIATELY!!!
  • sistah joyce (17/01/2023, 16:14) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    "Mystery loves company"
    • Time for positive action (17/01/2023, 16:49) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
      Any country that has any leader above the law and instead have them being the law is a country under a dictatorship. Currently the President of America and former President have to answer questions about concerns raised about their questionable actions. The system and not "a one man" or "a small group of senior public Officers" will determine the process and outcome. However, in the 21st century the Governor of the UK is above the law and will become the law by suspending a constitution and run a country how they see fit through two orders in council. This is dictatorship. In the 21st century when the Governor alone can call a COI & determine the terms of reference and the Commissioner for the COI and the staff, then this is dictatorship. To add insult to injury that no one can call a COI on him or have him or his performance or any subject under him looked into as he alone is over the police force and audit, and he alone can call a COI. THIS IS DICTATORSHIP!!! In the 21st century when a Governor can fail the police force especially in terms of development of the human capital & fail the public service but have these and more failures and questionable actions covered up by high handed actions geared at showing the apparent failure of others is not democracy. This is dictatorship. If the president of the USA is allowed to be held accountable by the law and the people, then so can the Governor and those UK senior public Officials over the Governor. Let us stop letting them play games with our minds and our future. It is time for balance. It is time for fairness. It is time to eliminate this kind of double standard. There should not be any discrepancy between how leaders are handled by the law and the judiciary and audit and the overall system. This is not a call to condone wrong but one to ensure equal rights and justice.
    • Up next (17/01/2023, 20:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The white mob on the loose heard they got a list look out esteem, csc, Steve, dr smith and fraser
  • Transparecy (17/01/2023, 16:20) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    The Governor is asking for what he did not give and is not willing to divulge. The governor selected the commissioner of the COI. The governor selected the terms of reference and approved them himself what the COI would look into and be guided by. The governor selected the UK lawyers & staff that assisted his UK selected COI Commissioner. Where was the independence and transparency in this? There is none! What tender process was used to secure the services of Commissioner of the COI? There was none. If the public officers and elected leaders did this on any project or enquiry most would have said it is not credible and a witch hunt, but we intend to give the governor a bye for these questionable conduct.
    • @Transparency (17/01/2023, 16:42) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
      Do you list all the things the Governor did then complain about transparency! If it wasn’t transparent, you wouldn’t know, would you. Duh!
    • lodger (17/01/2023, 16:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      And do you know all this for a fact?
  • by the way (17/01/2023, 16:22) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Go do research and all will find out that the UK with their governor has violated the COI ACT but they are the law so the people have no where to turn to for justice.
  • vex (17/01/2023, 16:29) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    No surprise here
  • Notice the difference (17/01/2023, 16:31) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
    During the COI notice the difference in the way the UK COI Commissioner questioned any subject under the Governor or anyone of caucasian ethnicity or the Governor himself especially this Commissioner of police verses how he questioned the local and Caribbean expat public officers and others and elected officials. The bias was clear. One set was allowed to play victim and get away with unjustifiable blame of others while the others were accused and pronounced guilty from the start. I hope our people wake up and see what is happening.
    • Didn’t see a difference (17/01/2023, 20:09) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      I didn’t notice difference - please be specific and give examples. I also think the facts speak for themselves - is Fahie in a US prison or not? It’s not a coincidence.
  • Check their history (17/01/2023, 16:33) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    You can never expect peace, calm, or fairness when dealing with the colonial empire that have deceived and destroyed countries far bigger than the BVI. Their history informs who they are and what to expect.
  • here we go again (17/01/2023, 16:39) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    The BVI should know that the UK will stop at nothing to get what they want and at all of our expense as this was clear when they used an 1880 COI Act (that was written by them) in the 21st century to champion their pre-arranged COI and recommendations to try to justify their actions. Slavery was abolished in the BVI in 1834 so the COI Act was only 46 years after slavery was abolished which is why it was outdated and not democratic because they wrote it based on their racist heritage. We need to take legal actions against this high-handed abuse of power. We agree that things need improving but not in a way that goes after who they hate whether justified or not and leaving themselves and who they love out.
  • Word to the Wise (17/01/2023, 16:51) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ms Vanterpool better be careful the uk police and governor don’t target her next
  • same old (17/01/2023, 16:56) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    The British empire master in putting the people of a country to fight each other while turning a blind eye to them so as to lose confidence in each other so that they can have an easier time to legitimize their take over to the international world. They have done this successfully for centuries.
  • The Courts (17/01/2023, 17:11) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    This shows another reason why they want to implement the Order in Council so they can control the judiciary with jury less cases, only their kind as judges, they already have the head of Police and all senior post in the force. This is their only interest in these areas so they can try to eliminate us in a way that makes them look like they have clean hands. The slavery mill is grinding slow but grinding still.
  • Hmm (17/01/2023, 17:31) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    These omitted areas do not change the deficiencies identified during the COI.
  • 2023 (17/01/2023, 17:54) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    our political leaders have no balls to question certain goes on up in here
  • Slave drivers (17/01/2023, 18:00) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    They are all guilty from the top come down. Slave drivers.

    https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/prince-harry-admits-book-royal-141418812.html

    The royal family funded slavery and the descendants of the slave owners have benefitted significantly. They have no shame coming here with their backward slavery mentality and calling it a COI. They think people stupid bad.
  • Josiahsbay (17/01/2023, 18:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    No one would challenge the COI because we had a bunch of governmental cowards representing us and too many felt that they have too much to lose. In the end, all who have a stake in things as they are will still lose in the end.
  • TATUM (17/01/2023, 18:45) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Dem preaching genocide. Dem dutty UK
    people
  • cap (17/01/2023, 19:01) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    I’ll say it again for those who are blinded by the media, politicians and the church - Without the UK watching over us and holding people accountable, the corruption would be unfathomable. Those of you who sit there and cry about colonialism will ultimately suffer at the hands of the very people you elect. It has been happening for years but you’re too blind to see it. The COI has proven that, and all you can say is that it’s a witch hunt against your peers. Well, stop letting your peers steal from you.
  • Demand (17/01/2023, 19:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We demand the report from Cox that was the lawyer working with the Attorney General to defend us. It is a necessary tool in the BVI's defense.
  • So so true (17/01/2023, 20:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    CAP, well said
  • hmm (17/01/2023, 22:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So where was the corruption to be investigated...in the courts? We all know where the corruption was..not in the courts
    • A confused People. (18/01/2023, 03:58) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
      These people are fill with hate, attitude and selfishness that they are confused. Isn't the Civil service under the Governor, that'd what they kept saying, now they are coming with this bill crop.. It's always a about their convenience...Seems like they all want to try their hands at Politics and someone or some foolish advisor is telling them attack the governor and Britain that's a popular topic with the voters..."Wrong"
  • lawyers (17/01/2023, 22:56) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a big move Mrs. Vanterpool-Nibbs . I am glad to see you step up to the plate and take that Court Reporting Unit in hand! We hearing it is like a loose cannon and running out of control!

    Big up yuh self!!
  • @ hmmm (18/01/2023, 06:52) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    HEY CANARY , WE ALREADY KNOW WHO THE HERO IS , WHO BEGGED FOR THE SAME ( COI ) AND YOU JOKERS STILL TRYING TO CONVINCE THE PEOPLE WITH LIES THAT IT IS THE UK , TRY PRAYERS , EVEN THE HOLY ONE CSC THROW HE BIBLE THROUGH THE WINDOW AND CHANGING HIS MAKE UP FROM PASTOR TO POLITICIAN TO PSYCHIC , WE AIN'T KNOW WHAT THE GREAT MESSIAH COMING WITH NEXT , SO YOU ALL CAN KEEP ON SINGING , JUST LOOK IN THE MIRROR WHILE YOU SINGING , OH , BECAREFUL IT MIGHT EXPLODE ????
  • BUSY BEE (18/01/2023, 10:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pretty clear to me, the author has zero understanding of the mechanics and function of government in the BVI.
    Either that, or the point of the author is just another case of innuendo and whispered aspersion.
    Sounds just like something out of the Trump playbook.
  • clear (18/01/2023, 13:57) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is quite clear that the BVI is fighting for it's life and a take over by UK is well planed. The future for locals and Caribbean expats are threatened. Just check the comments that assumed that the crimes that are committed in UK are being committed by Jamdowns and Vincentians and other Caribbean nationals.


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