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Hon Fraser & Premier Smith clash over bounced Gov't cheques

- Premier said cheques were bounced due to 'glitch' in bank system
A clash of words ensued in the House of Assembly yesterday March 13, 2015 when Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith sought to set the record straight after Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser RA spoke of having a bounced Government cheque. Photo: emirates247.com
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (left) and Representative for the Third District Hon Julian Fraser RA traded words over what Hon Fraser said was a bounced cheque he received from Government. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (left) and Representative for the Third District Hon Julian Fraser RA traded words over what Hon Fraser said was a bounced cheque he received from Government. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Fraser had referred to the fact that a cheque had bounced because of the state of the Government's finances. However, Premier Smith raised an objection to the manner in which Honourable Fraser described the entire scenario and said the cheque had not bounced but that there was a glitch in the bank system, which was rectified. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Fraser had referred to the fact that a cheque had bounced because of the state of the Government's finances. However, Premier Smith raised an objection to the manner in which Honourable Fraser described the entire scenario and said the cheque had not bounced but that there was a glitch in the bank system, which was rectified. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – A clash of words ensued during the Fourth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly yesterday March 13, 2015 when Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith sought to set the record straight after Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser RA spoke of having a bounced Government cheque.

It was during the debate on the motion for the House of Assembly to approve $16 million from the Social Security Board to be used for the construction and rehabilitation of roads that the issue of bounced government cheques was brought up by the Member for the Third District.

Hon Fraser had referred to the fact that a cheque had bounced because of the state of Government's finances. However, Premier Smith raised an objection to the manner in which Honourable Fraser described the entire scenario and said that the cheque had not bounced but that there was a glitch in the system, which was rectified.

“I had heard two times for the day the statement about government cheques being bounced. It was because of a glitch at the bank and not about government’s insolvency. So it is not right [to say something] that is not true,” said the Premier.

“So is the Premier calling me a liar? You’re telling me that the document I have wasn’t a bounced cheque?” asked Honourable Fraser.

At this stage, Speaker of the House of Assembly Ingrid A. Moses said that she was shocked at Honourable Fraser’s defense of his position. “I was quite shocked just now at your behaviour…I don’t think anyone in here should be calling anyone a liar,” said Speaker Moses. “I don’t recall the Honourable Premier saying that you were a liar,” she said.

However, in response, Honourable Fraser said “Madam Speaker the Premier said that I pulled a document from out of my jacket pocket, which I didn’t, I pulled it from my briefcase, and he made a statement that I have a cheque that was bounced from Government and before anyone could see it I put it back in my pocket. Madam Speaker I promise the Premier I will bring it back,” he said.

“I will bring it back and show him if he doesn’t believe what I am saying. The cheque was made payable to me and it bounced and as far as I know my bank account was not credited for the service charges from the bank and whatever ripple effects may have taken place,” he said.

“I come here with the facts…I have no reason to tell stories about things that happen. And it is true. But I don’t know why the Premier is saying that cheques are not bouncing,” Hon Fraser said.

The motion brought by Government to the House of Assembly to approve $16 million from the Social Security Board to be used for the construction and rehabilitation of roads has not been well received by the Opposition who has consistently criticised the NDP government of mismanaging the territory's treasury while lacking transparency.

Meanwhile, the House of Assembly is in recess until Tuesday March 16, 2015.

33 Responses to “Hon Fraser & Premier Smith clash over bounced Gov't cheques”

  • ccc (14/03/2015, 09:35) Like (16) Dislike (8) Reply
    Ndp are lairs
  • kk (14/03/2015, 09:47) Like (35) Dislike (21) Reply
    Come on Ingrid-- time to be fair--I understand your bias--- your interest just like most of us should be where our monthly check is coming from (the public understands that)---I support NDP, but Frazer did nothing wrong. He made a statement he has the facts to back it up, let him produce his facts. I will be honest as an NDP supporter,
    I truly appreciate and admire the work that Fahie and Frazer are doing--Balance and accountability are important.
    • Nick Nack (16/03/2015, 08:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

      Fahie is the one the NDP fraid ! The NDP love the fact that Fraser is the Leader of the VIP because he is self destructive. Fahie rattle Miss P cage and was so cool about it! Everytime Fahie speak in the House the NDP nervous.

  • Lily Ann (14/03/2015, 09:57) Like (23) Dislike (21) Reply
    So VIP never had no bounce cheques?? Oh maybe not ... because NDP actually putting money to GREAT use for the country!!!!! So glitch or not, Im with NDP all the way !!! Im finally seeing where my TAX dollars going to !!!!
  • Watching on (14/03/2015, 10:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    No surprised here!!!!
  • wize up (14/03/2015, 10:08) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
    I personally thought that the house of assembly was the place designated for all elected officials to conducts the people's business but somehow the speaker has a hard-on for the member for the 3...I listens as the government's side make all manner of crude comments against the elected officials on the other-side of the isle and the speaker does no-thing....
    • alpine (14/03/2015, 14:44) Like (25) Dislike (5) Reply
      thats a fact she to dam bias but time will tell. time longer that twine
    • Congrats (15/03/2015, 07:24) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
      "Side of the aisle'.... nor 'isle". Children reading and spelling from here too.
  • eyes (14/03/2015, 10:14) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe the bank need to stop stamping Rejected on the check and stamp the exact reason--like- "insufficient funds" ---"unidentifiable signature"---"Amt in words and figures not matching"---" A stop was issued for this check" etc.--A check can be REJECTED for any of these reasons and more..-So if the member has evidence that says insufficient funds was the reason for the check to mark REJECTED, allow the member, or asked the member to produce it.
  • i am watching (14/03/2015, 10:16) Like (33) Dislike (8) Reply
    how come the speaker is always so quick to discipline the opposition?
  • vip (14/03/2015, 10:23) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
    THE NDP WAS THE FIRST GOVERNMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE BVI TO EVER BOUNCE A GOVERNMENT CHEQUE (CHECK). so you could take that to the bank!!!!!
    • Hmm (15/03/2015, 18:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      As far as you know.
    • plenty (16/03/2015, 10:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      they did the cheque was rejected and the bank apologized and say it was a clerical error....so I don't know why it was rejected.
  • dawn (14/03/2015, 11:13) Like (23) Dislike (5) Reply
    that lady do not like mr fraser but every body know that she is the only speaker in the region that does behave like that and pick up on every thing
  • Ostrich (14/03/2015, 13:25) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    Doc head is buried in the sand.
  • No (14/03/2015, 13:37) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    I can't see the speaker of the house entering politics because she seems not to be a partial person. Crystal clear she cannot strike balance among a13 member government. How can she strike a balance among 27,000?
  • aloine (14/03/2015, 14:39) Like (18) Dislike (7) Reply
    Orlando stop lairing on the bank if your cousin hand sense he would have still be in the bank see how Puerto Rico get rid of he the next day/week dont lie on the bank. stop give us bounce cheques you'r the only gov who ever give bounce cheques and i had a heafty one ok.
    • In the dark (14/03/2015, 19:46) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      Alone. You're clueless Don't talk what you know nothing about
    • Yes (14/03/2015, 20:16) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      PR didn't get rid of that guy, he left. Stop talking nonsense.
      • jio (15/03/2015, 01:37) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
        pr get rid of the man yes
        • fact check (15/03/2015, 17:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          Interesting when those who don't know want to make statement as fact. He left on own free will for greener pastures
    • Yes (16/03/2015, 12:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am with VIP all the way...but what you saying is not true...come onnnn realy..plus that have nothing to do with the topic
  • chad (14/03/2015, 14:51) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    The same people the VIP helped are the ones stabbing them in the house.. Some of us are very ungrateful.
    • ooooo (14/03/2015, 20:35) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
      some of the same ministers who were bashing the VIP, they and their parents came here and survived under the VIP...they were able to open successful businesses in the same country that the VIP built and kept stable for all these years....you're right, you shouldn't bite the hand that fed you....UNGRATEFUL!
      • yea (15/03/2015, 10:28) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
        Fraser and Fahie VIP were not the VIP that built this country and we will remind the people of that every minute of the day. Tell them stop piggy backing on Ralph and Lavity and use their own records. They both have been ministers for years but continue to live in the past when it suits them.
      • Agree (15/03/2015, 10:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        And who did used to vote for before there was a NDP? VIP of course.
  • sorry (14/03/2015, 19:22) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    No harm intended this whole thing these days sound like primary school children arguing.
  • kids (14/03/2015, 20:01) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Dont worry the months going fast very fast
  • the boyz (14/03/2015, 20:56) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply

    He had someone in the bank stamp it...

  • police (15/03/2015, 16:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    look at the scond photo the incoming and out going Premier


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