Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (R6) on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, took the opportunity for debate on the Virgin Islands Inquiries Act, 2024 to publicly state that the Bill was vindictive and malicious as it was an attack on sitting members the HoA, as well as former Speaker Mr Julian Willock. Photo: GIS/File

Former Speaker Julian Willock took the Commissioner of Inquiry (CoI) to court for violating the Legal Profession Act 2015. Photo: VINO/File

Mr Julian Willock has claimed that both the Governor, Daniel Pruce, left, and Police Commissioner Mark Collins, right, have been targeting him over his resistance to the Commission of Inquiry. Photo: GIS/File

During the heated debate on the proposed Bill at the 15th Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth HoA, the Opposition member—in speaking to Section 11 (1) of the proposed new law, which provides for the employment of staff and legal counsel- told members of the House, “they should name the clause after him.” This was a reference to the former Speaker Mr Willock.

Bill is a violation & vindictive

Hon Walwyn then proceeded to accuse Governor Daniel Pruce of having some clauses which Mr Walwyn described as heavy-handed provisions being meted out to the Virgin Islands (VI), saying, “There are a lot of sections in this Bill that belong to the Former Speaker.”

The Sixth District Representative, in lambasting some provisions of the UK imposed Bill, told Members of the Assembly, “When I did my research in the other acts in the other OTs (Overseas Territories) there is nothing like this in any of them.”

With this in mind, the ex-Education Minister suggested, “It is only now because something happened here that you are now legislating based on what recently happened, and we can't do that; you can’t personalise the law how you want it.”

According to Hon Walywn, “It just shows to me in my mind that you have malice, you have bad thoughts in your minds towards people and you are pretty much targeting people.”

The former Speaker took the Commissioner of Inquiry (CoI) to court for violating the Legal Profession Act 2015. Attorney General Hon Dawn J. Smith also agreed with the Speaker that the lawyers working in the VI for the CoI needed to comply with the laws of the VI. According to her, they were indeed in violation of the Act.

Willock in the bull’s eye

Hon Walwyn, who it is alleged does not always see eye to eye with Mr Willock, noted in his contribution to the debate that “There are a lot of sections in this Bill that belong to the former Speaker, they should name the clause after him because when you read the stuff you can tell what it is they are trying to do in some of the clauses.”

Hon Walwyn condemned many sections in the Bill that were challenged by the former Speaker as “not appropriate to be in this bill."

The Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), had also earlier noted that another one of the clauses, 22 (5), was in fact, “one of the former Speakers' cross to bear.”

Appearing on Tola Radio 100.5 this morning July 17, 2024, from Dutch St Maarten, Mr Willock said he was yet again vindicated and he is humbled that the people have woken up. He asked, "How is it in 2024 such a law could come to the HoA that violates individuals' rights, the VI Constitution, International Law and Convention and Human Rights?"

Mr Willock is said to have been a target of the UK police officers following his challenge to the CoI. Last week, they came after him with what was described as "a bogus arrest" and charges allegedly dictated by both the Governor and Police Commissioner Mark Collins.