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Governor Rankin already being asked when he will leave the Virgin Islands!

- said it’s a decision he will have to make from ‘a personal perspective’
He still has close to a year on his initial appointment as Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI); however, the question is already being asked of Mr John J. Rankin, CMG as to when he will be leaving the Virgin Islands and whether he may be seeking an extension as Governor. Photo: Facebook
His Excellency the Governor Mr. John James Rankin, CMG was sworn in as 14th Governor of the Virgin Islands at a ceremony on Friday, January, 29, 2021. Photo: GIS/File.
His Excellency the Governor Mr. John James Rankin, CMG was sworn in as 14th Governor of the Virgin Islands at a ceremony on Friday, January, 29, 2021. Photo: GIS/File.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- He still has close to a year on his initial appointment as Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI); however, the question is already being asked of Mr John J. Rankin, CMG as to when he will be leaving the Virgin Islands and whether he may be seeking an extension as Governor.

This comes amidst concerns that the Governor may be pushing an agenda that may not be in the best interest of the Virgin Islands, even though he continues to say otherwise.

Already accused of being a dictator and using the threat of the Order in Council to get his way with the National Unity Government to push his agenda, the public has further questioned the motives of Mr Rankin with his negative report on the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations and his pushing of the Police Act 2023, which many have argued is a danger to the Virgin Islands people as it opens the way for police abuse of their powers.

Double standards

There have also been concerns about double standards, where the Commissioner of Police was deemed to have committed ‘breach of trust’ for his ‘Police in Paradise’ video but he was pardoned but locals continue to be harassed by UK police officers.

Additionally, the RVIPF, under the Commissioner of Police Mark Collins, a UK national, has been accused of human smuggling and misuse of government property, but no investigations were immediately called.

Governor Rankin, whose appointment took effect from the moment Ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert departed the territory on Saturday, January 23, 2021, was asked when his time would be up in the VI during a press conference on February 14, 2023.

‘I expect to make an announcement shortly’

“The short answer is my initial appointment is for three years and I expect to make an announcement shortly as regards my intended end date as my years go by.”

Asked whether he would be seeking an extension when his appointment ends, Governor Rankin said it was a decision he would have to think about.

“I shall not speculate to that point. I shall make an announcement in short course. It’s a decision I have to make from a personal perspective but I will let you know as soon as I have made it.”

Mr Rankin is the 14th Governor of the Virgin Islands.

40 Responses to “Governor Rankin already being asked when he will leave the Virgin Islands!”

  • jack (16/02/2023, 13:11) Like (11) Dislike (52) Reply
    He needs to go fast and the house needs to be dissolved
  • Reparations pls (16/02/2023, 13:14) Like (20) Dislike (53) Reply
    Forget about extension and be history. Neither do the Bvi need anymore non elected governor from your people. Get lost y'all is not welcome.
  • Rubber Duck (16/02/2023, 13:18) Like (12) Dislike (35) Reply
    I for one will not be sorry to see him go. Weak and ineffective and too afraid of the opinion of extremists.

    Send someone with the cojones to sort put the mess that is the BVI.
  • cap (16/02/2023, 13:24) Like (96) Dislike (17) Reply
    We need more Governors like Mr Rankin who don’t take crap. Tired of letting our elected officials bleed us dry and run this country into the ground. A Governor’s job is to stop that from happening no matter how controversial us locals might find it. If you’re offended by Mr Rankin then you’re part of the problem.
    • Citizen (17/02/2023, 08:32) Like (6) Dislike (22) Reply
      Since you want to be ruled by Colonizers you can move to the UK. JACKAss
    • Norris Turnbull (19/02/2023, 05:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @cap...and when you get so-called locals who don't take cráp you all raíl road them out of power and authority, sometimes existance. Talk dat.
  • street reporter. (16/02/2023, 13:39) Like (73) Dislike (6) Reply
    What difference it makes who stays or who goes, who supposed to get lock up will get lock up, . The one coming might not be as nice. I find this governor very nice, understanding and patient in spite of all the disrespect and failures..
  • No (16/02/2023, 13:46) Like (10) Dislike (60) Reply
    Rankin needs to leave before his time is up we can't take no more of his lies and he can't be trusted he needs to take Collins and Pam with him to back to the uk
  • BUSY BEE (16/02/2023, 15:22) Like (49) Dislike (4) Reply
    "... pushing an agenda that may not be in the best interest of the Virgin Islands... "

    An agenda that includes transparency and openness in government? What is not in the Virgin Islands best interests about that?

    Curbs on elected officials handing out the taxpayers' money like it is largess? What is not in the Virgin Islands best interests about that?

    Goverment by the laws and rules that Virgin Islanders wrote, rather than Whim and Fancy? What is not in the Virgin Islands best interests about that?

    Of course those who have a vested interest in Whim and Fancy, those who benefited from political largess, and those who prefer to work under a cloak of secrecy might indeed not find the CoI recommendations to their advantage and would wish at all costs to avoid honesty and fairness in our government. Those same people will peddle us fake news and alternative facts.
    • Add to Busy Bee (16/02/2023, 16:00) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
      “Those same people will peddle us fake news and alternative facts.”

      YUP!! Absolutely, nail on the head.
    • :) (17/02/2023, 09:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

      LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!STRAIGHT UP FACTSSSSSS, 100%%%%
      99.99999999999999999999999999999. JJUST THE COUNT OF CERTAIN COMMENTS TELLS YOU WHERE THE PEOPLE STAND. THEY THINK PEOPLE FOOLISH, AND DRINKING THEIR GIBRISH LIKE JIM JONES A$$@$ DID WHITH THEIR KOOL AID.

  • ONE WORD ABIUT HIM (16/02/2023, 15:35) Like (8) Dislike (29) Reply
    EVIL
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (16/02/2023, 15:41) Like (26) Dislike (6) Reply
    The current Premier and the majority of his Cabinet, not to leave out cronies that have, and them that continuing benefiting from finances unjustly, are the people that hope Governor John Rankin will leave, in a hurry.
    In spite of the Governor's imperfections, same as we all are, the people of the British Virgin Islands needed and have a strong Governor that is standing up against political abuse (corruption), especially more so in hard times as now, on various issues that have plunged our Country into chaotic uncertainties.

    Make your choice below?

    1. A BVI governed by selfless laws

    2. A BVI where every politician a law onto him or her self.

    3. A BVI where no accounbilty is being practice.

    4. Every man/woman is right in own eyes.

    5. A BVI where our politicians comes to the realization that they were employed by the people, and are answerable to them.

    6. A BVI that practice what it has taught, teaching, and preached, and preaching.

    7. A BVI that will come to the realization that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin (selfishness) is a reproach against any people, everywhere.

    8. Humble self and repent of evil doings.

    9. Recognized other human as your equal.

    10. Prove love for others by action to others.

  • Slob (16/02/2023, 15:56) Like (29) Dislike (7) Reply
    I hope they bring back Gus, he certainly ratted out the corrupt!
    • @Slob (16/02/2023, 20:02) Like (2) Dislike (13) Reply
      You sure he wasn't corrupt and needed a smoke screen to keep the attention off of him?
      • :) (17/02/2023, 09:45) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
        AND THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH US. HE DOES NOT ANSWER TO US, THE FASTER THE PEOPLE REALIZE THAT AND FOCUS ON US THE FASTER WE WILL BE UP AND READY FOR INDEPENDCE. OWN UP, CLEAN UP, STAND UP!!!!!!
      • Slob (17/02/2023, 10:39) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        Errr…..did you see the reports about Fahie being arrested by the DEA?
  • hmm (16/02/2023, 15:57) Like (9) Dislike (10) Reply
    Yal think runnin this one out gonna make a difference? they gonna keep sending them and guess what, for every one they send, that one gonna be WORSE than the last. Keep it up!
  • Food for thought (16/02/2023, 16:13) Like (7) Dislike (34) Reply
    The police and every subject under the Governor are failures for many years and have too many unanswered questionable conducts. This is why I say the position of the Governor should be an elected one so they can be held accountable by the people and the laws of the land. Also, so we can check their bank accounts and assets before they took office, while in office, and after, so they do not run off with our money and hide it in Switzland or other places in the world in their family's names while having us looking at each other in the BVI as the thieves and corrupt because they have the power of investigation to keep our eyes off of them like they are now doing public officers and others through their pre-arranged COI.
    • lodger (17/02/2023, 09:07) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just like we check our own officials and politicians financial affairs?
  • @Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (16/02/2023, 16:22) Like (4) Dislike (16) Reply
    As usual we can depend on and Gus and the now Governor and UK staff for their comments to support dictatorship and colonialism. You all should thank VINO for always posting your comments and not doing like the other online news site that you all control that does not post any comment that is positive about the BVI, public officers, people of the BVI, and elected officials. Send VINO a Christmas gift for doing what we are asking the Governor and the UK to do for the BVI and all Overseas Territories under their control --- which is to be fair, honest, transparent, allow democracy to reign, stop treating us like slaves, stop putting in unrealistic goals and deadlines for things they want done to be done, have the Governor adhere to the laws of the land, respect the voices and wishes of the people, stop lying t us, respect our heritage, and stop taking the people for fools.
  • Dictator (16/02/2023, 16:24) Like (19) Dislike (12) Reply
    He must defend the high-handed written police bill because he and his Uk people wrote it and send it to the House to pass without delay so they can have a full license to finish really terrorize us under the guise of taking a bite out of crime, but it is really taking a bite out of our freedom and democratic rights. He is a bold face dictator.
  • View of the majority (16/02/2023, 16:27) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
    The Governor from his comments has proven that he cares less about the people and our concerns. He has a mission to fulfill and that is all he cares about. For example, no one is against strengthening policing, but the Police Bill has created major alarm in the public based on its overreaching content that violates one's democratic rights and freedoms. The Freedom of Information Act and the Human Rights Bill needs to be passed first then the new Police Act. If not, many innocent people will suffer based on what is happening now but probably that is this man's intentions but trying to fool us by saying otherwise.
  • Question from a UK resident (16/02/2023, 16:34) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why is the Governor and his UK staff in his office in the BVI not mandated by law to register their interest like everyone who is a public officer or elected official in the BVI has to do with the new register of interests act that was just passed. It is these kinds of double standards that disgusts me about the Uk officials which includes the Governor. It is wrong. Wherever you are working you should be mandated to adhere to the country's laws and not be allowed to act above them. This is so for financial service and all areas in the BVI except the UK Officials who are always saying they are pushing for transparency and good governance.
  • To the Governor (16/02/2023, 16:39) Like (14) Dislike (16) Reply
    I am originally from one of the Caribbean islands but has lived in the BVI for the past 45 years and I love the BVI. It is my family and I only place we call home. I have my status in the BVI thanks to the government. However, I read in the news your "so called" concern for the delay in awarding Belonger status to over 1000 persons waiting (I guess your real concern is people of your kind and not us from the Caribbean Islands). My question to you is what about our concerns about you and your office delays in approving British citizenship. Most people cannot get an appointment from you and your office until the next two years. You need a COI on your performance as this is totally unacceptable.
    • @to the govenor (16/02/2023, 19:04) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      The FCDO is responsible for approving British Citizenship applications not the local office in the BVI.
  • 2023 (16/02/2023, 16:43) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    keep it real people
    it is not what we thinking, it is whats actual

    Can you say British Overseas Territory
  • Listen carefully (16/02/2023, 20:10) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
    The Governor is really saying that he and his UK Officials want to do away with the courts, judiciary, elected officials, local senior public officers, financial services and democracy and he and his UK officials through the order in council will be the EVERYTHING and destroy who they want, how they want and when they want based on if they like you or not or if you are verbal and interrupting their devious plans. This is what he is really saying which is sad in the 21st century. This is headed to a revolution.
  • yea (16/02/2023, 20:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    GYMS
  • Forbidden Truth (16/02/2023, 22:01) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    Leave fast speeding like a jet.
  • See (17/02/2023, 04:17) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    Remember what happened in Rodeshia now Zimbabwe many years ago. Who took over the country and took away the black African property and gave it to the whites. I am watching the developments in my country.
    • tiger (17/02/2023, 08:45) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      That is an IGNORANT comment. Please read your history regarding Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. It is the other way around. Just Google it.
      • :( (17/02/2023, 09:53) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
        you serious? So in black Africa, you will tell me it is the other way around. go sit down you hear. Please!!! History was written by you all anyway. A bunch of lies to mess with the minds of the blacks. watch the geographics and tell me it is the other way around.
  • POPE (17/02/2023, 06:41) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Long Live Guv Rankin ruling the BVI until his death just like the Pope!
  • 1 out 1 in (17/02/2023, 18:00) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    One white devil out, on white devil in. No mater who come and replace him, they will have the same evil agenda.


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