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‘If UK can pay for CoI, VI can pay to defend its name’ - Hon Fahie
![For legal representation, the VI has hired Withers law firm & UK MP C. Geoffrey Cox QC for CoI [Whiters & Cox] which the Hon Fahie said is for the Executive Arm working through the Attorney General, Dawn J. Smith where Cabined has passed financing for an amount not exceeding $5M for legal representation. Photo: Internet Source](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_8_800x_i_img_ddhhgss.jpeg)
The Premier gave the answer in response to questions from the media on the cost of local legal aid at a May 20, 2021, press conference on current matters in the VI.
VI fighting for its reputation - Hon Fahie
He said while persons should be concerned with the cost of the local law firms, persons must not overlook the fact that 'we are fighting for the heart and soul of the Virgin Islands and for the name of the Virgin Islands," he said.
The Premier said the terms of reference of the CoI, as declared worldwide, is on investigation into allegations of corruption in the VI government and is something that must be fought at all cost.
The CoI on its website said, "As set out in the Terms of Reference, the purpose is to establish whether there is evidence of corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty that has taken place in public office in recent years, and if so what conditions allowed this to happen."
Persons already pronounce Gov't as guilty - Premier
Hon Fahie declared, "We have to fight at all cost to keep our reputation, to make sure it doesn't destroy our financial services, it doesn't destroy our tourism, it doesn't destroy our reputation in the end."
The Commissioner on the CoI's conclusion will report his findings and recommendations to the Governor, John J. Rankin (CMG).
"That is not a simple Terms of Reference that went out to the world, it makes some people already have you pronounced guilty before the report comes out," Hon Fahie noted.
He noted, however, that persons still find it easy to question the need for legal representation.
Accused get lawyers - Premier
"An accused murderer can get a lawyer, an accused robber can get a lawyer, but when it comes to a country fighting for its name, to preserve its name for generations born and unborn and do that, there's a problem getting a lawyer," he said.
The Premier said the legal representation, in not for the individuals in the Government or the Opposition, rather, for the Government as an institution and what the forefathers of the VI have fought for.
"It requires getting some lawyers to help our local Attorney General's Office that is depleted," the Premier said, suggesting that had the AG's Office had he manpower, there would be no need for the outside legal representation.
For legal representation, the VI has hired Withers law firm & UK MP C. Geoffrey Cox QC for CoI [Whiters & Cox] which Hon Fahie said is for the Executive arm working through the Attorney General, Dawn J. Smith.
He said Cabinet aprroved financing for an amount not exceeding $5M for legal representation.
UK spending on CoI too - Premier
Meanwhile, Silk Legal will represent Members in the House of Assembly (HoA) who are not ministers.
According to Premier Fahie, while persons are fixated on the legal cost of the VI defending itself, no one is asking about the UK cost.
"The UK who called the Commission of Inquiry is paying a bill too, no one is asking what their bill is... they also have a cost for this inquiry,' he said.
"So if they are paying money to do the inquiry, then we can pay money to defend ourselves so that we can make sure that the name of the Virgin Islands is being properly defended," the Leader of Government Business reasoned.
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21 Responses to “‘If UK can pay for CoI, VI can pay to defend its name’ - Hon Fahie”
It is true that a criminal may hire a defense lawyer but there is no crime here, yet. If the CoI eventually charges and prosecutes a BVI person with a crime then it is time for that defendant to hire a lawyer. If by chance the defendant is connected with a private local law firm then that defendant may choose that law firm to defend him at the criminal trial. This UK law firm needs to go back to London now. The local law firms should stand down during this phase of the CoI until any criminal charges are filed.