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

Governor wants Police Bill returned to HoA after General Election

- admits his office was late in bringing Bill to Cabinet
The Police Bill in its current form raises serious concerns about police being given opportunities to abuse their powers and strip the people of their human rights. Photo: RVIPF/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, spared little words in letting the public know that Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, left, was being bluntly untruthful when he laid the blame on the Unity Government and the House of Assembly for the controversial Bill entitled Police Act 2023 only now reaching the HoA. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, spared little words in letting the public know that Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, left, was being bluntly untruthful when he laid the blame on the Unity Government and the House of Assembly for the controversial Bill entitled Police Act 2023 only now reaching the HoA. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- After being accused of misleading the public on the tardiness of the controversial Police Bill in the House of Assembly (HoA), Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, has admitted his group was responsible for the lateness.

Nevertheless, the Governor is hoping the Bill will return to the HoA after the General Election.

Governor misled public

During a press conference called by Governor Rankin on February 14, 2023, he was asked why he was now trying to rush the Bill through the HoA weeks before an expected general election.

“As regards the timing of when the Police Act was introduced into the House of Assembly, that with respect is a matter for the Government and the House of Assembly. I would have wished it to be done earlier but I hope, nonetheless, that the act could be given appropriate consideration,” Mr Rankin responded.

Appearing on the International Morning Braff Show on Tola Radio VI on February 20, 2023, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) “unequivocally I can say to you, the reason the Police Bill came so late [to the House] is because of the process of making those amendments between the Governor and Deputy Governor, Attorney General’s Chambers and Police.

“I just bring the Bill on behalf of them and when they got it to Cabinet finally, we were able to bring it in one day to the House of Assembly,” Premier Wheatley had stated.

Governor was caught in a lie?

Governor Rankin, during a press conference on March 3, 2023, admitted that the blame was actually not the government’s fault.

“It is correct that the Act came late to the House of Assembly for consideration, with dissolution that is due to take place by 12 March i.e. the end of next week.

“I agree with the Premier that ideally the Act should have been presented to the House of Assembly sooner,” Governor Rankin admitted.

Governor wants Bill returned to HoA soonest

The Police Bill in its current form raises serious concerns about police being given opportunities to abuse their powers and strip the people of their human rights.

Due to these concerns, the Bill was withdrawn from the HoA.

“I understand that the Police Act as tabled in the House of Assembly has now been withdrawn but I very much hope the House will return to it after the General Election,” the Governor stated, adding that it is essential that the Police are given the modern tools necessary to tackle crime.

24 Responses to “Governor wants Police Bill returned to HoA after General Election”

  • Real (04/03/2023, 11:41) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Tackle crime is says. He wants to see receipts for what's in your house and yard and and if your income can afford it
  • balanced (04/03/2023, 11:41) Like (27) Dislike (3) Reply
    The motives regarding this Police Bill has been crystal clear from day one and there seems to be no redress or consideration for we the people who built this country. The ultimate motive is to infringe upon our human rights with no regards for humanity. Our representatives (present or future) must have the backbone to stand up against this injustice and say a big overwhelming NO to this bill until it is amended in the right way to suit the citizens of this country. All over the world the police have been given the necessary tools to fight crime, yet every day crime happens; so don’t be fooled by this statement as another tactic to get the bill rush through the house. Be vigilant Mr. Premier and stand up for your people. This land is your land; this land is my land. Defend the cause.
  • ..... (04/03/2023, 11:50) Like (29) Dislike (3) Reply
    No we do not want this bill returned to the house ever. Why is the Governor so intent on going against the will of the people? Why does he disregard us so? Why does he want all these warrantless searches? Why does he want us to have a bill that affords the public less protection than what the English public have in England?
  • ..... (04/03/2023, 11:53) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    I forgot to ask, why does the Governor want us to have this Gestapo styled law?
  • showonde will be gone...losing his seat (04/03/2023, 12:49) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    I call this kicking the can down the road
  • my2cents (04/03/2023, 13:19) Like (22) Dislike (5) Reply
    rankin needs to go with his lying @$$
  • ABC (04/03/2023, 13:24) Like (33) Dislike (1) Reply
    Zan asked the right question why is this man pushing this bill so much?
  • smh (04/03/2023, 15:34) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    H.E. is full of it! No way that crap should be brought before the House until it is properly debated and address with the Public with High Ranking Officers, The Governor, Elected Officials in the form of Forum ( open Town Hall Meeting) How can H.E. expect this crap to be tabled when he denies knowledge of the contents but yet wanting it before the House. No! The People needs to have knowledge of how they( Bill creators) can come up with such overbearing and insensitive measures to Citizens Rights and Freedom. Don't know why they pushing such rubbish to create havoc in Nature's Little Secret or Paradise. WHY your Excellency? WHY? Sad Situation in BVI. From the Pot into the Coal Pot...fire dey lit.
  • musa (04/03/2023, 16:14) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    This police bill is not going to make it through our leaders in the bvi .
  • HMMM (04/03/2023, 17:17) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    The slave master at it again. What a dictator.
  • concern (04/03/2023, 17:22) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    I am now concern more than ever that the Governor and the UK want to have the BVI enslaved and afraid to challenge them, so they need this poorly written police act to give them the legal power to have the right to violate our rights.
  • Loss me (04/03/2023, 17:27) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    I was a supporter of the Governor but not anymore. I now fully believe all that is being said on the streets about him and their devious motives and think that Caribbean people too stupid to see through this colonialist emperor's plot. If he cared about the people and our right to a democratic society, he would revise the bill but first pass the human rights bill and the freedom of information bill. His arrogance shows that he and his superiors are up to no good and think they cannot be stop or denied.
  • herbs power (04/03/2023, 17:29) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    Governor it would be very nice if you can reach back to your home land before night comes.
  • same old (04/03/2023, 17:32) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    The slavery mill is grinding slow but grinding still.
  • Ulterior motive (04/03/2023, 17:37) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    The UK officials have been planning this day in the BVI for a very long time and they are using the worse pandemic in the last 100 years to now move forward under the disguise of good governance and stomping out corruption, but it really is not about that at all. It is about a takeover of a people out of hatred and racism by gaining our support to think otherwise. Unless the people rise up more of this and other unjust things will happen to us and our family but crafted well as something illegal.
  • What a shame (04/03/2023, 18:13) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    The UK officials trying to turn the BVI into a police state and our people are fast a sleep.
  • Josiahsbay (04/03/2023, 18:53) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Jump high, jump low the Governor can't force us to vote in the affirmative for that bill.
  • Recall (04/03/2023, 19:28) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    What is the procedure to have the governor recalled. He wont be the first.
  • Democracy (04/03/2023, 21:06) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's not what the Governor wants, it's what we the People want.
  • Native senior citizen (MoG) of the British Virgin Islands (04/03/2023, 22:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Corruption is a worldwide pandemic that are being practice daily by all ethnicity. No person or persons are eager to admit that they have practice or are continue involve in corruption. According to black African thinking the white rulers from the UK are the #1 corrupters in the BVI. According to the whir ethnic school of thought the political Parties leaders and the backers are the #1 corrupters in the BVI. In my honest opinion skin colour and Country of birth is not the difining factor of who are more corrupt, but as a native Senior citizen of the BVI, it is my honest opinion that our politicians, most of them are responsible for the lion size share of political corruption that have us in the greater mess that hindering positive unselfish progress in the BVI. This truth does not mean that other ethnicity are less corrupted. If the opportunity present itself, we are all guilty, of what we are accusing others of, CORRUPTION.

    When being pricked by the needle of truth, the pricked do hurt, but the medicine heals. Accept the prick people of the BVI. God our Creator desires to heal us of all selfish ambitions that are hindering true community responsibilities toward each others, for the good of all our people, tourist, and day visitors, too.
  • guy hill (05/03/2023, 08:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Law enforcement needs to develop a culture where the corrupt officer fears the incorruptible officer and NOT the other way around. Seize the time.
  • kpt (05/03/2023, 08:51) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    @balanced, . I agree with most of what you said but this part I don’t agree with, this land is your land; this land is my land. This land is not yours or mine this land is owned by the UK and no matter how much you how much you hate the UK and the white people you can’t change that. The people of the British of the BVI use to live in peace with everyone up until about 4 years ago.
  • south africa (05/03/2023, 15:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    before 1845 it was out in the cotton fields and the cane fields

    no you will be sent to Her Majesty Prison under watchful eyes

    that police bill is simply the start and will now give the United Kingdom Police in the British Virgin Islands More Powers
  • WHY? (05/03/2023, 17:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why are you pushing a police bill that we do not want? Most police here are foreign and do not care about us. So what are you really trying to do? Destroy us because you feel that we don't deserve human rights? We the people are not going for this nonsense that you are trying to force down our throats. Governor, please return to the United Kingdom and leave us in peace please.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit 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.