Jaspert must retract & apologise for linking VI Gov't officials to drugs- Hon Vanterpool
Hon Vanterpool made the statements during yesterday’s October 28, 2021, 12th Sitting of the 3rd Session of the 4th House of Assembly (HoA) in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola, where he also warned against allegations and innuendos thrown towards legislators, particularly as it relates to corruption, drugs or use of public funds.
During his appearance before the CoI, Ex-Governor Jaspert on October 20, 2021, claimed, without any evidence, that the VI had alleged cocaine links in the highest level of office.
Part of the prompt for the CoI, he said, were due to concerns about links to organised criminality and to those involved in the cocaine trafficking trade, including allegedly amongst those in the highest holders of public office.
Hon Vanterpool said he was left 'appalled' at the statements and that Jaspert could have never accused UK legislators without bringing facts or evidence forward, in order to say it publically.
"I am very hurt," the senior legislator said while noting that he was a high-level Government official for some 20 years and therefore, could be part of that broad statement.
Statement too broad - Hon Vanterpool
The legislator said to serve the people, “I have lost many opportunities and at one point I had to stop and think that I was becoming a pauper because of my presence in the House of Assembly.”
He said that elected members are subjected to people’s opinions, and it is expected; however, the member illustrated that some comments are not based on facts.
As an example, Hon Vanterpool recalled being told of persons looking at his McNamara home and saying it was built with BVI Ports Authority money.
“I never had any authority to write any cheque on Ports Authority! I never had anything to do with the Ports Authority in terms of their money and their accountability and their accounts,” he said.
“Whatever insinuations they had there I don't know, and sometimes even we as politicians are responsible for what we say and do to give the wrong impression,” he said.
Bring the facts!
He urged persons to be careful about what they say if they don’t have the facts to support statements.
“When you don’t have the facts don’t go to the public and say it because you don’t have the facts, and those innuendoes and allegations and those things can affect a person’s life for life,” he said.
Hon Vanterpool said the VI is now in a season where innuendoes and allegations are no longer a joke or talk for just within the VI, but with outsiders.
The 'statesman' further revealed shocking allegations of persons claiming that he was involved in drugs to be able to afford his businesses.
“I come up feeding pigs,” he said while noting that one of his principles is working hard for what he has and never having an involvement in the narco trade.
Jaspert? Apologise?
Meanwhile, Mr Jaspert was previously called upon by members of the public and commentators to apologise for what many perceived as racist and insensitive remarks regarding his stance on reparations for slavery and preserving names of landmarks in honour of persons who were involved in the slave trade and committed brutal acts against humanity.
Mr Jaspert departed these Virgin Islands without apologising.
As a parting gift; however, Jaspert controversially announced a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into governance in the VI on Martin Luther King Day, January 18, 2021.
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23 Responses to “Jaspert must retract & apologise for linking VI Gov't officials to drugs- Hon Vanterpool”
Not only that, he has clearly has not presented any proof to the CoI or we would have heard about it - remember is it supposed to be an open inquiry.
The questions asked by Lapdog provided the only chance for Jaspert to make the allegation without being sued for libel/defamation. He jumped at it.
The fact that the drugs operation in the BVI is so well run rather suggests that no politicians are involved - none of them have ever demonstrated an ability to run anything well.
Desperate Jaspert's last swansong!!! - the Commissioner will have to drop the drugs paragraphs from the draft report that Jaspert presented him with.
Moreover, the governor/governor’s group is part and parcel of the institution. As such, the FCO may not be a neutral arbiter of friction between the VI government and the governor. Typically, it may only be in extraordinary circumstances, ie, only if one’s status or position may be adversely impacted, may the arch of fairness bend towards the VI. There is no neutral clearing house for the VI to get a fair airing of its valid concerns. Consequently, the governor feels no obligation nor any responsibility to apologize or respond to the VI people, the majority of whom are of African descent, for any thing. IMO one is quicker to see a green mule flying than the responsiveness occurring. Why?
The slave trade and the institution of slavery built UK, US and other economies. The slavery institution also created white supremacy, special privileges, and entitlements. Slaves were viewed as subhuman and not equal to other humans; they were an inferior and defective specie. The Emancipation driven mostly by economic reasons, not compassion, did not change the perverse attitudes and behaviors. Many countries/leaders still have not apologize for the exploitive, barbaric and terrorist treatment of slaves. And they balk at providing compensatory damages for the physical, emotion, inequitable economic etc harms caused.
Former governor Jasper, asked by the media about reparation for VI slave descendants, glibly, callously and insensitively responded that reparation was not on the UK’s agenda. The response was disrespectful, disparaging and insensitive to VI slave descendants. Asked to apologize, the VI people is still waiting. Additionally, he also suggested that VI landmarks named after supposed murders, pirates, slave traders, exploiters etc be retained for historical reasons. Reallly!! Asked to apologize, the VI people should not hold its breath. Making allegations with total disregard for truth and facts, is devious at best. But since there is no responsibility, no consequences, who cares? I think the victims care.
Internal security ( including RVIPF), and supervision of the courts fall under the governor’s purview so if he had evidence, if any, of wrong doings among top officials, why not investigate and prosecute?
Where’s the proof of the drugs being destroyed the UK said was too much of to dispose of locally?
Let’s play their innuendo game.
The English probably run things internationally and had their drugs caught by officers not in the know.
Being such a hefty shipment they probably sent for it to be disposed of aka off to be sold not destroyed.
If Belgian police can be selling coke why not other European police??
When it comes to rumours people believe what they want to.
Governor's are undemocratically SELECTED to come "tame"the natives yes, with their settler mentality.