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Hickinbottom ‘out of step with reality’ to suggest UK direct rule in VI- David Comissiong
Mr Comissiong appeared on the May 1, 2022, ‘Barbados Morning’ television show, which discussed the Situation in the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) and CARICOM's rejection of the recommendation to suspend the Constitution of the VI, dissolve the democratically elected House of Assembly, and to impose direct colonial rule.
“If you examine the report that he made, you ask yourself what could there be in that report to merit something as drastic like this,” he added.
Comissiong said there’s an image problem with the UK in the Caribbean, adding that British representatives are evoking colonial ethos that makes them out of step with the current reality in the region.
“This British Judge, Sir Gary Hickenbottom, he too is out of step with reality to make such a recommendation.”
Report says corruption likely - Comissiong
“They been banding around this concept that this Commission of Inquiry found evidence of great corruption… when you actually read it or read the analysis of those who have read it, it is saying that corruption has likely occurred in recent years,” he said.
Mr Comissiong, who is also Barbados' Ambassador to CARICOM, and a lawyer, politician, and former election candidate, added, “They have not actually found corruption, they think it might be likely,” he said.
Mr Comissiong added that the likely corruption as flagged in the CoI report could not merit direct rule and and a suspension of the local constitution.
He said there might be more to the mortar than the pestle, pointing to issues like Belongership status and an alleged tussle for UK nationals wanting to easily move to the VI and gain citizenship or status.
Caricom leaders have so far called ‘ridiculous’ the CoI Report recommendation of direct rule.
The regional organisation, CARICOM, has so far slammed what it called a ‘retrograde step’ to propose restoring direct rule by the Governor in Council as existed in Her Majesty’s colonies during the colonial period.
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), University of the West Indies (UWI) and the US Virgin Islands (USVI) have also condemned the recommendation of direct rule by the UK.
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36 Responses to “Hickinbottom ‘out of step with reality’ to suggest UK direct rule in VI- David Comissiong”
My question is, should the British take full control, what would CARICOM do? I guest you will sue the British eh; Stupes!
Its better for the corrupt CARICOM Leaders to close their lips. Barbados is full of crimes try to sort that out.
When picko moff. Cindy and kishma were speaking, nobody was listening. Some were behaving like they crazy. The sh** hit the fan now so they up and down like headless chicken.
Some didn't care because they were getting white envelopes to vote, big positions, some positions were even created for some. Some got farming and fishing money even though they never picked up a rake or a fishing line in their lives. Some got big contracts over and over, some placed on 4 to 5 different boards. Some police are a part of the crimes that is why so many of them can't be solved. How can they solve them when they might be implicated.
All of that going to be over with now so they bend out of shape.
The place needs cleaning from head to toe. Look at what the head is accused of. Still can't comprehend up to now.
Blessings on you Kishma.
Carefully.
Some form of serious UK intervention is required to put us back on even keel and sailing with purpose and skill. Regardless of what form that takes the people need to be represented and have their interests respected and views heard.
Our politicians and political system have significantly failed us over the years in that regard. A serious rethink and correction is required and in the interim we need some mechanism for governance and leadership. The jury is out and the populace are largely skeptical and weary of the interim solution and the UK appear acutely aware of that.
The best way forward is to re-write the constitution and restructure the political system so all loopholes can be closed. Then install an independent watchdog to look for and expose future incidents of corruption. And not just expose, but promote prosecution or censure as defined by law and policy. This is the best way that the UK can carry out its obligations to the VI.
It is all about money and the product is now Cocane NOT sugar cane
We are also aware of those that have the ears of the UK rep for years who want some changes in favour of themselves.
We are also aware of the nasty blogs of those non BVIslanders posing as BVIslanders.
Too much interests floating around. I hope at the end of the day the BVI interest will be the true interest to prevail but there is one who knows all that is being done and said behind closed doors and he will be the one to have the final say in this.