Premier asked to divulge personal security details @ May 17, 2019 HoA
During the Thursday, April 25, 2019, Second Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Fahie dropped the bombshell news that there have been three major threats of assassination, hence the reason for personal bodyguards.
And now Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) wants Premier Fahie to reveal the details of his heightened security when the House sits tomorrow, Friday, May 17, 2019.
Is Hon Penn irresponsible?
According to an HoA Order Paper for Third Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth HoA of the Virgin Islands (VI), released, May 14, 2019, Hon Penn will ask of the Premier, “what is the name of the company providing private security to him, the beneficial owner of company, when the services commenced and details of the cost of the services.”
However, given the nature of the issue surrounding assassination attempts and the personal security of the Premier, many are wondering if Hon Penn’s line of questioning is justifiable.
According to the Premier at the April 25, 2019 sitting—with his need to hire additional security—he said, “I don’t like to know that Taxpayers have to go through that. As a matter of fact Mr Speaker, I bring it up because I noticed that before I got to make a speech, there are those making fun of it. But I don’t take nobody making fun of my life.”
National Security Issue
Further, Premier Fahie said at the sitting, “We have sat down with the Commissioner of Police, we have sat down with private security… and we have made sure that the security that is needed, that will happen as the Premier of this Territory,” he implored.
Citing the subject as a ‘National Security’ matter, he revealed that Commissioner of Police, Michael B. Matthews of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), has been on the case while noting that given the situation, personal security was necessary, hence the reason for his bodyguards.
"You have made the right step"- Hon Melvin M. Turnbull
Meanwhile, Opposition Member and Second District Representative Hon Melvin M.Turnbull had previously said in the House of Assembly that he was in full support of security for the Premier, noting that is was an issue raised during the last administration.
Hon Turnbull related that it was in late 2015 or 2016 that the National Security Council “strongly recommended that … security be provided for the Premier.”
“When someone threatens anyone’s life, elected or not, I take it seriously. When you threaten somebody’s family, it is of utmost importance. Honourable Premier when I saw the security with you, this is what I said: ‘I hope the Premier will keep the security with him for as long as he is elected because it has nothing to do with Andrew Fahie’,” Hon Turnbull had said in the House of Assembly (HoA) on April 26, 2019.
The second term representative added, “Premier, I want you to know I support you and as a country, you have made the right step."
13 Responses to “Premier asked to divulge personal security details @ May 17, 2019 HoA”
Just a two face a** he is.
The security arrangement for the premier is petty compared to what happens across the Caribbean and the rest of the world. As the premier he is entitled to and should have adequate security.
What if these same people somehow get this full details. We all know how money can make people do wrong even in this security company. A lot can go wrong with this.
When he was suppose to be talking, for years he couldn't say a word.