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Governor Rankin’s departure delayed until January 2024

Word reaching our news cente from sources in Government House is that the Governor, John J. Rankin, CMG will no longer depart at the end of December 2023 as was previously scheduled, but instead will be leaving the territory around the middle of January 2024. Photo: GIS/File
The incoming governor of the Virgin Islands is Mr Daniel Pruce. Photo: Internet Source
The incoming governor of the Virgin Islands is Mr Daniel Pruce. Photo: Internet Source
Governor John J. Rankin's popularity took another hit in the Virgin Islands when he pardoned fellow United Kingdom national and Commissioner of Police Mark Collins (in photo), who had faced heavy criticisms from the public following the publication of a video portraying the territory as a crime-infested place. Photo: Facebook/File
Governor John J. Rankin's popularity took another hit in the Virgin Islands when he pardoned fellow United Kingdom national and Commissioner of Police Mark Collins (in photo), who had faced heavy criticisms from the public following the publication of a video portraying the territory as a crime-infested place. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Word reaching our news cente from sources in Government House is that the Governor, John J. Rankin, CMG will no longer depart at the end of December 2023 as was previously scheduled, but instead will be leaving the territory around the middle of January 2024.

It is unclear the reason for his delay; however, sources in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have told our newsroom that the new incoming governor was not “quite ready” to take up his new assignment in the [British Virgin Islands.

The incoming governor is Mr Daniel Pruce.

Mr Rankin’s controversial tenure

Governor Rankin has had mixed reviews from the territory.

He oversaw a one-man Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that many persons thought was biased and based on a script already written. The CoI was sponsored by the United Kingdom during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and even when the UK Government was against a CoI into its own performance.

Other significant happenings under Governor Rankin’s tenure include the arrest of former Premier Andrew A. Fahie by law enforcement authorities in the United States and the arrest and charging of many civil servants on what many have described as “trumped up charges” of Breach of Trust.

His popularity took another hit in the Virgin Islands when he pardoned fellow United Kingdom national and Commissioner of Police Mark Collins, who had faced heavy criticisms from the public following the publication of a video portraying the territory as a crime-infested place. Mr Collins had claimed the video was created for recruitment purposes.

Hypocrisy?

Governor Rankin has so far refused to lift a finger in the wake of some 55 allegations against the Commissioner of Police by senior police officers and a call for the Commissioner to step aside. Meantime, some public officers have been sent on Administrative Leave for simple matters such as “writing a letter” and minor offenses.

He has also insisted on a new police bill that many in the public, political, and legal classes have labeled as containing blatant violations of human rights. 

Meanwhile, efforts to get a comment from the Office of the Governor on the departure date of Mr Rankin were unsuccessful.

22 Responses to “Governor Rankin’s departure delayed until January 2024”

  • 2023 (27/12/2023, 16:52) Like (7) Dislike (24) Reply
    His Excellency has to put the final nail in the coffin. No stone must be left on turned come 2024. Great Britain continues to Rule this World: As a people We need to wake up because that Little Plot of Lands Called United Kingdom continues to make International Global Decisions(we are no match for the UK)……

    Almost every day for 2 years some of you talking about, oh the Governor Have to Leave: Homeboy will be here for another Month and not a Dam thing can be done



    • Foy Trial. (28/12/2023, 05:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      He has to see this through. This will decide Britain actions and the BVI fate..This Trial going to be prime time, must watch TV. May set new viewing record. Is it showing live.?
  • ingrid (27/12/2023, 16:53) Like (10) Dislike (26) Reply
    Oh that’s easy. He is sticking around just in case former Premier becomes acquitted in Miami and arrive back home to have him arrested as soon as he touch down.

    New governor don’t want to start off his tenure answering to this move although he will have no other option but to do so.
  • unvaxx 4ever (27/12/2023, 17:24) Like (6) Dislike (30) Reply
    Seems like Rankin and Michael don't plan to leave. can someone please remind them their jobs are finished.
    • Wanda (30/12/2023, 19:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      former commish job has long finish but is still here and sitting on boards, just like all the former magistrade still here
  • hmm (27/12/2023, 19:18) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    January is the buss chess? Slowman Dey’s and Foy’s legacy.
  • Native Tongue (27/12/2023, 23:33) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    Rankin is a corrupt man.
  • too many (27/12/2023, 23:44) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    It is his, not your territory.
    He has every right to remain and forever if he so desires. The presence of one and only one deograhic has been the detriment to these VI. Not 1 adverse behavior has been attributed to a citizen 0f the UK. When and if he leaves,he will be replaced by another anr...Your concern should be the installation of the dregs of the Caribbean Islands of poverty and crime to the effective degrading of life in these VI..
    A complete revision of demographics,eliminating the residents and the habitual predictable prison inhabitants would be sensible and useful for upward mobility with the revision to respectability in these VI.
  • OMG. (28/12/2023, 05:27) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
    What's the big deal, the obsession. Maybe his replacement has delayed, or maybe he has unfinished business.. Don't worry about who going but who is coming. Our leaders and officials still have a lot to answer for.
  • g0 home (28/12/2023, 06:54) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    No more white male here.
  • UK Own (28/12/2023, 07:52) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    A F COMING HOME!Watch That Lawyer Wuk Baby!
  • yeah (28/12/2023, 07:56) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Where are the comments welcoming the Governor to the territory as you all did in previous years…..?
  • John (28/12/2023, 09:18) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    When you going take Mark with you.
  • # RANKIN CORRUPT ? (28/12/2023, 09:39) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    did you look in the mirror first ? Or did you SCRUB your tongUe first ? , a word of help , in your case , U gonna need s ( wire brush )
  • A signal (28/12/2023, 10:28) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is this a show of incompetence already??
    Or he’s disgusted by having to inherit the sitting governor and his C.O.P and their trailer of judicial reviews and misconduct..clean up some of your mess Rankin please don’t leave Mark chuppid ms with me
  • British hater (28/12/2023, 10:30) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    When does the Bvi get to vote for their own Governor ,stop accepting appointed Governors. Are the citizens of the Bvi cowards say no to their appointments and send them back to England, tired and feathered.
    • Clarity (28/12/2023, 12:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Only independent territories can appoint, not elect their own governor. Until the territory becomes independent, England will continue to appoint and send someone to serve as governor.
  • Jf n csc (28/12/2023, 11:50) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sea cows bay harbor and nibogher hood programs arrest up next
  • to (28/12/2023, 14:12) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Can u believe he getting money from west bank
  • brian (25/01/2024, 09:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I’ve been contacting BVI Government over 5 years sincde I left to have police retrieve my posessions from former landlord there. No one, Governors, Premiers, RVIPF, perpetrators themselves (last name Stoutt) have dealt with matter of my property and getting it over to my friend who lives on Tortola still. And the whole matter that erupted in Carrot Bay swept under the rug at my expense. I liked the BVI but it perpetrated crap at me with the BVI and british authorities covering it all up. This is Brian Fox in the USA.


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