Local Charles L. Forbes Out! UK National David Foot in as Prison boss!
Mr Forbes contract was not renewed by Government late last month after a recommendation from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the National Security Council with the full knowledge of the controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, according to an NDP source.
It remains unclear why Mr. Forbes was chased out of office and did not secure a contract renewal. Further, it is unknown who is currently in charge of the Prison during the transition.
Myron Walwyn the flip flop King
According to the same source who is close to the situation, the Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walyn who has responsibility for Her Majesty’s Prison and share some duties with the Governor, is trying to dance around the issue but he was allegedly “well aware of all the happenings over the rejection of a contract renewal for Mr Forbes resulting in another local being put out of work.”
When the story first broke last week by the local media, Minister Walwyn claimed to selective local media houses that he did not support the appointment of a UK National to head the Prison Services. However, days after the UK-appointed Governor William B. McCleary told selective media sites that Mr Walwyn was well aware of Mr Foot’s appointment and supported it.
To save face over his flip flop, it was reported by a local online news site that Minister Walwyn changed his story to claim his “support” for Mr. Foot came only after the selection by the Governor.
While the Governor is the Head of the Civil Service, under the constitutional arrangement of 2007, no Heads of Department or Permanent Secretary can be appointed without the expressed approval of the subject Minister or Premier of the Virgin Islands whom the constitution gives the power of being in charge of the ministries of Government.
According to the source, Minister Walwyn was allegedly “well aware of every move over getting rid of Mr. Forbes, a local, but only trying to save face after His Excellency called him out”.
The source did confirm that Minister Walwyn wrote a letter to the Public Service Commission over their recommendation to the governor. However, our investigation continues as to the date of the letter, and if it was before or after the recommendation to the Governor for Mr Foot’s appointment of which, according to our source and media reports, the Governor said Walwyn supported.
According to this news site’s sources within the Ministry of Education and Culture, there were two other local applicants for the post of Superintendent of Prisons including a former Police Officer who was willing to relocate from overseas and is a Virgin Islander. However, Walwyn told a local online media that he “wanted a local in the post”, but his credibility on this matter continues to be questioned by the public.
When contacted, both Minister Walwyn and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Dr. Marcia Potter said they had no comments on the matter at this time.
A Ms Maria Mays, Private Secretary to the Governor, claimed she could not get a hold of the governor for two days for a comment, however, this news site will not speculate. Mr Forbes could not be reached for comments; however, it’s this news site’s understanding that he may be overseas on private business.
Is there a genocide of the minority locals in the public service?
Following the 2011 General Elections that saw the National Democratic Party (NDP) government of Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith seizing power, well over 20 Virgin Islanders have been fired, forced to retire, transferred, displaced for an expatriate worker or sent on leave.
Many persons and talk show hosts are now asking openly if this government has declared war on locals or if this is a form of ethnic cleansing or genocide.
In December of 2011 Ray A. George, a Virgin Islander, was fired from the Ministry of Communications and Works. No reasons were given. Soon after a Kittian, Vance Lewis, was hired by the Communications and Works Minister, Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool.
Earlier this year, former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Mrs Carolyn O'Neal-Morton was forced to retire. She was replaced by Dr Marcia Potter, a Jamaican national who is married to a local.
This year also saw Acting Accountant General Ms Anna Rabsatt being forced out and reassigned to the Ministry of Finance in favour of the appointment of an Anguillan national, Ms Kalleesha C. Mendie as Acting Accountant General.
If that was not enough, in April of this year Stephen Payne, a Barbados national with Virgin Islands immigration status, was appointed the first Executive Director of the Recreational Trust over three other locally qualified Virgin Islanders, including a former legislator.
The Governor, with the blessings of the Premier and the National Security Council, appointed UK national David Morris as Commissioner of Police when in fact there are many qualified locals and Caribbean nationals who could have filled the post.
Ms Jenifer C. O'Neal, a local Virgin Gordian, was forced out of the Ministry of Finance after her contract was not renewed but while she was out of work an expat consultancy contract was being finalized in the same Ministry of Finance.
Last year also saw the illegal firing of the esteemed former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Julian Willock, by Governor McCleary with strong support and backing from the NDP Government. To date, no reason was given to the officer for his termination.
Virgin Islander and former Magistrate, Charmaine Rosan-Bunbury was also sacked by the controversial governor McCleary over alleged insubordination. Her appeal matter is still before the courts and is expected to reach the Privy Council.
Following the 2011 election of the NDP, Mrs Oleanvine Maynard, the former Labour Commissioner, was forced to retire with one Minister of Government publicly taking credit for her removal.
Director of the BVI Tourist Board Hadassah Ward was another local casualty of the 2011 Elections when it was made clear to her that she was not wanted as Director. She was forced out by the Dr. Smith Administration and transferred into central Government.
Former Executive Director of the International Finance Centre and Virgin Islander, Sherri L. Ortiz was forced out from her post when the NDP government refused to renew her contract.
A Former Accountant General and indigenous Virgin Islander who was regarded as one of the most effective Accountant Generals, Mrs Kharid Fraser, was sent on leave days after the 2011 general elections. On her return she was displaced from her post and sent to work outside of the office. She was later forced into retirement by the NDP Government.
Finally, while there are much more cases where locals have been disenfranchised in their homeland, there remain a long list of court cases against the Government, Governor and Police Commissioner for unfair dismissals and violations of rights.
Most of them are Virgin Islanders.
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73 Responses to “Local Charles L. Forbes Out! UK National David Foot in as Prison boss!”
M**** & the Pre**r sold out that young man then start to pretend like they knew nothing about it. Time will tell for these deceptive acts.
M***n thinks we are all lunatics or what? He got caught in his usual mess but vino I like the flip flopping king tag…lol
The time has come for the NDP to RIP
This inept administration is costing us a lot of money, how longer are we willing continue this expensive experiment with the NDP?????
Being an indigenous Virgin Islander, DOES NOT / SHOULD NOE GURANTEE you to a Job you are incapable of doing. Mr. Forbes was in over his head and he knew this. This appointment, like it or not, is in the BEST intrest of our country, and if we stop for a min. and look past the ignorance of indigenous and expat we would realise same.
SKA I agree with you wholeheartedly being one that knows the ins and outs of what goes on in the prison. I am not saying Foot is the right man either, but the prison is much more than trying to be a Drill Sargeant. Instead of festering more criminals when they ultimately return to society, there ought to be more rehabilitation programs, there ought to be one on one counseling for those who need it, and hard labor as required. It aint no picnic and one will need to know what the hell they are doing to manage that place efficiently and effectively. Just my two cents.
That will be the headline for in the coming year and a half. Vote of no confidence.
He also said two years ago a major hurricane was going to hit here. Go sit down with that B$%^^^it! That man is a 'PROFIT' not a 'PROPHET' when will you all learn? Schups!
Well he didnt go up there to be loved, he went up there to do a job, you have no idea whats going on up in the place, needs cleaning, i support mr foot a thousand percent.
You all make me laugh, when stories come up about prison breakouts, drugs and phones in prison you all carry on about how bad this is and things need to change. Now things are changing you all complaining still. We need the new broom to sweep clean. If that means bringing in someone from outside then so be it. I just hope he trains a BVislander to take over
Myron I thought u had our back...u just like the others defending the one world order Myron I'm so angry I really can't say what I'll like to say fa--t a$$ don't evin coming asking about votes for election ill bust your bubble
I like how VINO point out M... 2 face sliver tongue ways. He got us locals fool like he on our side and yet pushing the "MAN" Boyd agenda even though we know M... had no say. Tell playing locals like fool because we like to believe what comes out his mouth and not look at the real facts. This change was going to happen and Boyd didn't need not one of the minister support. That's what happen when you can't elect representatives and they are appointed. COLONIALISM at its best.
So, when de prison is run by a local you all complain about balo bein a hotel, full of drugs, phones etc. and a guy (who just happnz to be from de Uk gets it) you all complain about local boys being out of a job. Get in the real world ! Is a job for life your RIGHT just because you happen to be born here ? isn't performance something to do with it maybe ? I KNOW most of the staff at the prison (Belongers too) are cryin out for a boss who knows prisons, aint scared and will lead them from the front !
What did Pasty Lake, Noel Lloyd, Lindy did (forgive me if I spell their names wrong) when they wanted action justice and attention from the government? Do your research and follow them if you need a change or it will never stop.
You sound like a bouncy of cowards hiding behind the blog while your people if suffering. It hard enough with a job much less without one. One hand cannot clap join together and help those who are treated Injustly to fight for their rights.
The Minister should be held accountable!!!the selection of this FOOT must be squarely laid at his FOOT
Now at the same time I believe in my heart that a man in his country should be given first preference to the best jobs and opportunities that comes available in his country. But we will continue to be passed over if we don't take a stand as a people. First we need unity. We are not united. We as a people are easily fooled by these "Uncle Tom" politicians who just want personal gain. Then selling out the BVI from under our feet.
Him is a fraud, 2015 is the people time we will have the power then and we will do what we have to do so enjoy it now, power to the people
Politicians. Ha!