In an attempt to avoid the partial suspension of the Constitution and a temporary takeover of the Virgin Islands government by the United Kingdom, VI political leaders are proposing that …
May 4, 2022
May 2, 2022
Marchers protest direct UK rule, but others open
“Whose country is this?” Angelle Cameron shouted to a crowd gathered Monday morning along the road near the Governor’s Office. “Ours!” the crowd yelled back. “Whose country is this?” “Ours!” …
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April 29, 2022
COI officially recommends 2-year UK takeover [FULL REPORT INCLUDED]
The day after Premier Andrew Fahie’s arrest in Miami, Governor John Rankin said Friday morning that he had decided to expedite the release of the Commission of Inquiry report, which …
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April 28, 2022
COI report to be public in June, guv says
After finishing an initial review of the 1,000-plus-page report by the Commission of Inquiry, Governor John Rankin said on April 21 that he will disclose it to leaders in the …
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January 6, 2022
COI report delayed 3 more months
Another delay of the Commission of Inquiry report that would have been due this month means it may not be delivered until April, Governor John Rankin said Tuesday. The delay …
December 3, 2021
Premier pushed for EZ Shipping border barges, guv says
In a move that cost taxpayers more than $2 million, Premier Andrew Fahie authorised the use of three barges owned by EZ Shipping for border security during the Covid-19 pandemic …
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November 5, 2021
Plan to pay speaker’s fees sparks protest
A constellation of issues rose to the surface when about two dozen protesters demonstrated Monday morning in front of the Save the Seed Energy Centre — the House of Assembly’s …
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November 1, 2021
Ex-guv: Drug links alleged among ‘highest’ officeholders
Though launching the Commission of Inquiry was one of the most difficult decisions he has made, former Governor Gus Jaspert said during a COI hearing last week that it was …
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October 30, 2021
In a Commission of Inquiry first, auditor cross-examined
In a first for the Commission of Inquiry, Auditor General Sonia Webster was called on Oct. 20 to be cross-examined by Queen’s Counsel Sir Geoffrey Cox on behalf of the …
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October 28, 2021
Facing COI, Fahie explains rocky UK relationship
In response to allegations of poor governance aired during the ongoing Commission of Inquiry, Premier Andrew Fahie last week described a pattern of systemic problems with the Virgin Islands’ constitutional …
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October 28, 2021
Commissioner of Inquiry wraps up oral hearings
Since May, the Commission of Inquiry has been meeting with public officers, political operatives, and elected leaders to probe allegations of potential corruption and serious dishonesty in the Virgin Islands. …
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October 26, 2021
COI probes Crown land transfers
Crown land makes up a third of all the land in the Virgin Islands, and last week’s Commission of Inquiry hearings delved into how those parcels change hands. Over the …
October 24, 2021
Deputy premier slams inquiry at United Nations meeting
As the Commission of Inquiry continued its work here in the territory, Deputy Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley repeated the government’s often-stated complaints about the process this month before a …
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October 22, 2021
Auditors stand by reports, refuting PS
Auditor General Sonia Webster and Internal Auditor Dorea Corea fired back against criticism of their reports on Friday, standing by their claims that the Premier’s Office refused to cooperate with …
October 21, 2021
Commission of Inquiry grills governor over United Kingdom’s role in the British Virgin Islands
During a Tuesday hearing with Governor John Rankin, the Commission of Inquiry probed whether successive governors have fulfilled their obligation under the Virgin Islands Constitution to support the people of …
October 18, 2021
Ports lawyer lost job after pushing for due diligence on Pasea Place lease
Shortly after the BVI Ports Authority board decided in July 2019 to lease a property owned by board member Patsy Lake, the agency’s general counsel recommended several due-diligence measures in …
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October 15, 2021
Asked about NPP, Fahie points to late premier
When the Commission of Inquiry asked Premier Andrew Fahie on Monday about his role in the controversial Neighbourhood Partnership Project from 2008 to 2010, he repeatedly deflected responsibility to late …
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October 15, 2021
Willock ordered to pay legal costs
A judge has dismissed Speaker of the House Julian Willock’s claim that government should pay legal costs exceeding $121,000 related to his withdrawn request for an injunction against three Commission …
October 14, 2021
Premier dodges Commission of Inquiry questions during testy hearing on Covid stimulus
As the Covid-19 pandemic continued to batter the Virgin Islands economy in September 2020, Premier Andrew Fahie authorised a system of distributing stimulus grants to religious organisations and schools, he …
October 11, 2021
Skelton-Cline dodges many COI questions
Government consultant and radio personality Claude Skelton-Cline initially refused to answer many of the Commission of Inquiry’s questions on Oct. 4 after claiming its probe was unfairly focusing on him …
October 7, 2021
Attorney General blasts Commission of Inquiry’s belongership hearing
During a Sept. 28 hearing, the Commission of Inquiry read from a document recounting a 2019 Cabinet meeting in which members considered granting belongership to a rapist imprisoned in the …
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October 1, 2021
Commission of Inquiry alleges Customs programme may violate law
In its roughly 40-year history, the Customs Department’s Partial Payment Programme has never been governed by a formal policy, despite Custom Commissioner Wade Smith’s assurance following a December audit that …
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October 1, 2021
Imprisoned convicts were considered for belongership
As part of government’s 2019 “fast-track” programme, Cabinet considered granting belonger status to two convicted criminals, including a man serving 10 years for rape in the United States, Commission of …
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September 27, 2021
COI team returns to ESHS wall project
The Commission of Inquiry revisited the auditor general’s special report on the Elmore Stoutt High School wall on Monday, calling former Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn to answer various …
September 24, 2021
Premier disbanded the climate change board even though he knew it was likely illegal
When Cabinet ministers effectively disbanded the Climate Change Trust Fund board shortly after the 2019 general election, they knew that then-Attorney General Baba Aziz believed the move was unlawful, Premier …
