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Governor Rankin defends ‘biased’ Auditor General

- said he is satisfied audits have met requirements of Audit Act 2003 .
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has said the Audit Act 2003 sets out that audits shall be undertaken in accordance with good auditing practices and standards, and he is satisfied that the audits of Mrs Sonia M. Webster meet these requirements. Photo: Facebook
Residents have questioned the motives of the many one-sided reports from the Auditor General Sonia M. Webster and whether she took instructions from the controversial Governor John J. Rankin and the one-man Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom. Photo: File
Residents have questioned the motives of the many one-sided reports from the Auditor General Sonia M. Webster and whether she took instructions from the controversial Governor John J. Rankin and the one-man Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom. Photo: File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Amidst heavy criticisms from legislators and some members of the public that Auditor General Sonia M. Webster’s reports on consultation contracts for Claude O. Skelton-Cline and the contract for the barges to provide border security are biased and “lacking balance”, United Kingdom (UK) appointed Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has come to the defense of the Auditor General.

During a press conference today, March 3, 2023, Governor Rankin thanked the Auditor General and her team for their work.

He said the Audit Act 2003 sets out that audits shall be undertaken in accordance with good auditing practices and standards, and “I am satisfied that these audits meet these requirements.”

According to the Governor, the mandate and methodology used in conducting the audits are set out in the reports for everyone to see.

Was the AG taking instructions?

Meanwhile, residents have questioned the motives of the many one-sided reports from the Auditor General and whether she took instructions from the controversial Governor John J. Rankin and the one-man Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom.

If that is so, Ms Webster would have violated the Auditor Bill, and it could render her reports illegitimate.

According to Governor Rankin; however, the Auditor General, under the Constitution, is not subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority in the exercise of her functions.

“And I offer my continued support for and confidence in her work,” Governor Rankin stated.

See links to related articles:

‘When you write a report it should be truthful & balanced’- Opposition Leader

Hon Malone slams Auditor General Report on marine platforms as lacking balance

'You do a whole audit on EZ Shipping & you don’t interview' them?- Premier on AG Report

 

 

 

34 Responses to “Governor Rankin defends ‘biased’ Auditor General”

  • The Hon Ms Webster.. (03/03/2023, 17:21) Like (95) Dislike (4) Reply
    Hold your head high. You have done your Job Godly.. You don' t need no one to defend you.. Only Liars, dishonest and corrupt people need people to defend them..Truth is truth is truth and there is only one truth and you have said it...Majority of us stand with you, believe you and honour you..
    • yea (03/03/2023, 22:04) Like (6) Dislike (16) Reply
      Mumu talk, the end result I hope you and Sonia can live with
    • Of course he approves … (04/03/2023, 09:44) Like (8) Dislike (14) Reply
      … the Governor gave the report to the AG and all she had to do was sign it.
    • @The Hon Ms Webster.. (04/03/2023, 10:56) Like (8) Dislike (23) Reply
      The majority do not stand with her because it was not a balanced report. These pre-arranged actions to please the Governor and who she support political will back fire. They are trying to influence the outcome of the elections by getting in minds of voters. Time will tell.
  • Hold your head high (03/03/2023, 17:47) Like (77) Dislike (2) Reply
    To Sonia Webster, i would say this hold your head high in public and do not let the negative people when they approach you to say all manner of things get to you. Sleep well at nights, because all you did was your job. If others would of done their jobs and right and faithful like you did. None of them would be in this situation, I too join the governor and commend you and your team for job well done
  • No fear (03/03/2023, 17:52) Like (9) Dislike (29) Reply
    Speak for yourself don't speak for others
    • TO No fear (04/03/2023, 17:16) Like (0) Dislike (10) Reply
      You are correct. The UK officials and their few supporters are blogging against the people of the BVI and liking their own blog a million times. The evil of this Governor is clear on his face. This high-handed abuse of power will result in a revolution.
  • vincy (03/03/2023, 17:54) Like (19) Dislike (8) Reply
    Some very good information coming out of this Press Onference I would like to address my countryman Zan Lewis. I am not too sure of your motives but you like always angry, disrespectful and make statements instead of questions. Zan you are there to ask questions on the behalf of the people please learn how to go about it in a professional way. You know you can't act like that at home. At the end of the day it doesn't matter what status you have you would still be regarded as an ex-pat a Vincentian. Mark me Zan. And my friend Ms. Cindy I have to tell you that you lied about the issue with the policewoman at Banco. If you are going to say something say everything. We are still friends though.
    • Jaigon (03/03/2023, 20:54) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      @ Vincy. You said Zan can’t act like that at home? You are correct. Zan was never a journalist at home, he was sitting in a back room at NBC pushing papers, he came here, stated to work with ZBVI as an announcer and all of a sudden he playing big journalist. I wonder whose agenda he pushing.
      • @ Vincy / jaigon.. Stop hating. (04/03/2023, 09:44) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        Why hating on your own..Vance was the first serious tuff journalist here asking the hard and tuff questions on work permit, so much so that Ralph T. Didn't want him in his press conferences and threatened him. Now we have Cindy on board , the whole media fraternity has tuffn up get courages and not afraid to ask tuff questions. Zan and Cindy have raised the pressco ference standard from a place of comedy and laughter, to a place of fear and nervousness
  • jack (03/03/2023, 17:56) Like (8) Dislike (57) Reply
    We do not trust the governor
    • To Governor.. (04/03/2023, 06:27) Like (11) Dislike (11) Reply
      The best defense of her is "Suspension" .Take ove. Too much talking, ...While we are sinking deeper. time to act..
      • @To Governor (04/03/2023, 18:26) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        He and his team blogging all day and night, but I am surprised with these different arrest and reports been done & hand to the police to finish the well-organized devious mission and not one person who robbed our $8 million dollars with the plane and other things have not been touched or mentioned in any press conference. Could it be those involved have sold the people out for their freedom and now coming to run for office and trying to convince us they are our best hope for the future. Talk about double standards. Is it because UK people are involved? Asking for a friend.
        • Rubber Duck (05/03/2023, 10:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          The latest reports on the Grants Scheme is about $22 million of our money given away to politicians and officials family and cronies and in at least one case of a Minister giving grant money to his own business. With mostly no records and no accounting. Makes the $7 million plane fiasco look like nothing.
  • not nice (03/03/2023, 18:06) Like (8) Dislike (49) Reply
    Vi islanders you can't see what Rankin and his uk team is doing putting Black against Black for the uk to take over
    • @ not nice (03/03/2023, 22:24) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      Stop gaslighting. Blacks been against blacks digging out the other’s eyes before now.

      Born right here and no not Caucasian.
    • @not nice (04/03/2023, 02:50) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
      Black against Black? What side of the planet are you living on? That is one reason we are pulling down the Auditor General. Anyone who dares to speak out against wrong or speak the truth on this Island is deemed to be on "the other side". Have you noticed that it is only one set of people speaking, on talk shows and other mediums? People are afraid and it seemed best to them to be on "this side"
    • smh (04/03/2023, 06:22) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
      We black people are the ones who's fighting against each other. Locals against expats. Locals against Locals, Expats against Locals. Rankin has nothing to do with this. With all the illegal affairs in the territory, they basically handed Rankin the key.
      Rightfully so, this man is doing his job.
    • @not nice (04/03/2023, 10:59) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      You are correct. They are acting high handed. Notice they have left the plane and everything the ndp did from any action. It is by design because they are working together. This whole action is a plot of deceit.
  • 2023 (03/03/2023, 19:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    black brothers and black sisters you can not go up against the milk-man and win: a few of you holding political positions are causing the population of this territory to worry far to much and it has got to stop……..it is sickening how these folks conduct themselves in the house of assembly like a set of primary school kids
  • HEY BLONDIE (03/03/2023, 20:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    U STILL FIGHTING IT , KEEO ON PUSHING YOUR RACISM LYRICS , HOPE U CAN DANCE TO THEM * WHEN THE RIGHT TIME COME * AS THE SO GOES
  • Outlaw (03/03/2023, 20:56) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    One thing with these people around here? They can never accept the truth. The AG is an honorable woman and will always do her job without malice, ill will or favor. When you write your report, who ye hut ye hut
  • Auditing guidelines (03/03/2023, 23:02) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    The AG has done an audit. All the buzz about interviewing other parties is null and void stupidity. That is not how an audit is done. The process looks at the historical objective evidence and makes qualitative and quantitative assessments. Those HoA members who are harassing her have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Their continued invective could very well be a sign of guilt.
  • ey (04/03/2023, 00:06) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
    Her father dont like the barge from day one
  • Proud (04/03/2023, 00:26) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sonya did her job perfectly! We need to stop defending and justifying and making excuses for wrong doing! Any member of the political arena who is trying to distract our attention from the finding in this report is simply continuing the corruption that got is here in the first place! Yes we know the Chslwalls find the VIP and so they have to protect that family but this is ridiculous!
  • @not nice (04/03/2023, 04:34) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cut the crap black always been against black. We are our own downfall. Where have you been? In wonderland? Take a walk outside with your eyes open this time.
  • WTF (04/03/2023, 06:43) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only dishonest people and those who inherit from the corrupt dealings of the government will find fault with rhe Auditor General's report. Who on earth can defend those two contracts? No one with integrity.
  • Undercover Observer (04/03/2023, 08:31) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
    “ According to Governor Rankin; however, the Auditor General, under the Constitution, is not subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority in the exercise of her functions.” I could be wrong but I’m sure that the AG is not an island, an entity unto herself and must be accountable to someone? Who? I don’t know my a$& from elbow in regards to auditing but it appears to this simpleton that if one is conducting an audit one should exert an effort to talk to all players involved to the maximum extent possible and practical. Rankin kniws this and is perhaps being disingenuous. Hell, a coin has three sides. A story always have at least three sides, ie, A side, B side with the truth in the middle with C side. One of the plays, hallmark of colonialism is divide and rule. The U.K. is masterful at pitting local people against one another while they sit back playing the innocent above the gray rolle and getting on with business at the expense of the warring locals. Locals time after time are juke and falls for the play. They often side with one side who then becomes beholden to it. Locals cannot be blind with their eyes wide open in broad day light. As a case study look at Nigeria.
    • Sambo (04/03/2023, 14:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Under colonialism, sambos are key partners who the colonialists used to make the divide and rule successful. Take a proud bow sambos. You must be real proud of yourself. However, it dies not how much you sell out you will be accepted..Which former colony is integrated into the U.K.? None.

  • Biased?? (04/03/2023, 10:06) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am not sure where the bias is here? Our AG has done her job and complied with the requirements of the act. Some might not like the outcome of her work but that does not make them biased just because it’s critical of the Government. I just hope there is a criminal investigation too for all of these findings!
  • HMMM (04/03/2023, 10:46) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    What a well organized plot.
  • Audit Reports don't go far enough! (05/03/2023, 07:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why more of this nonsense!?
    The barges were ordered by a guy that is in custody in Miami for selling cocaine, money laundering and racketeering charges. Did nobody notice this when dot the 'audit' report!?
    The facts are all there. Yet the audit reports look like someone filled out the forms wrong, or someone reported something but no one paid attention.
    The barges were contracted so a drug dealer could bring drugs into the BVI and sell them! The UK was told to take their free War Ships with the fancy radar home!
    Am I the only person to notice this?


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