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Hon Penn blasted as ‘weak’ over stance on Speaker’s legal fees
The Opposition Leader, during the November 3, 2021, debates of a motion on the subject, indicated that he will not be supporting the Special Committee of the House which will decide on who pays the legal fees in the withdrawn case brought against the three Commission of Inquiry (CoI) lawyers accused of illegally practicing law in the [British] Virgin Islands.
Opposition leader blasted as weak
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had moved the motion shortly on November 3, 2021, on the basis that while there was no expressed permission by the House for the court case, the Speaker may have relied on the assumption of permission granted to pursue the case after discussions on the topic were had with some members of the HoA.
Hon Fahie said the Committee will comprise of no more than 5 members from the different political parties represented in the HoA but no less than 3 members to consider three possible outcomes. This means that the committee could comprise of at least three members of the opposition.
However, with Hon Penn indicating he will not support the motion, many are now labelling the Opposition leader as weak for forgoing the opportunity to get more facts on the issue as well as using a possible majority representation by the Opposition on the Special Committee to his advantage.
Opposition like 'Humpty Dumpty'- Hon Malone
In the past, the Opposition has been described as a tri-party Opposition, which Hon Penn had taken offense to the statement, over his inability to organise a strong and unified Opposition side in the HoA.
Ministry of Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) during his debates had said that the National Democratic Party (NDP) was like the nursery rhyme character 'Humpty Dumpty', with the Party falling apart.
Both Hon Penn of the NDP and Opposition Member Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), who defected from the NDP to join Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), were visibly disturbed by the analogy used by Hon Malone as they brought it up numerous times during their debate, although they never sought to argue against Hon Malone's point.
It should be noted that in the case against the three CoI lawyers accused of practising law in the VI in violation of the Legal Professional Act 2015, the lawyers have since applied to the High Court for admission to the bar.
Meanwhile, the motion for the Special Committee to be put together was passed on November 4, 2021.
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22 Responses to “Hon Penn blasted as ‘weak’ over stance on Speaker’s legal fees”
Should we allowed numbers to rule over right ?
Is the principles of laws be overruled by numbers? Or should should the laws of justice stand firmly irrespective of numbers?
People of the BVI it time to stand up and d counted as people of power, not slaves to of an incompetent Cabinet of manipulators. Stand up for righteous laws or fall to the feet of corruptors. The choice is ours.
I couldn't agree with you more. Who is weak and spineless are those legislators who are supporting wrong, injustice and inequality. Numbers should not dictate right from wrong. Conscience should.
does it matter where the money comes from
should you listen to coverage most of them speak for hours simply repeating the very same thing over & over & over
we they finally sit from the talking as a people we have no idea where our country will be in the next 20 years
my question to the 13 members; what are your projections development for our people
our forefathers took on the wips, the chains but came out victorious and all mr politician doing is turning house of assembly into a battle group
house of assembly should the place where the 13 of them gather to ink out the future the people future....our grandchildren & great grandchildren
PENN ) IS NOT A HOUSE PET LIKE YOUR FLOCK OF SHEEP , SO PAY FOR YOUR EGO TRIP