As the Virgin Islands waited to learn whether the United Kingdom will impose direct rule, Special Envoy of the Premier Benito Wheatley provided an update to the United Nations Special …
Government makes plans ahead of UK decision
The territory waited in limbo after the newly formed National Unity Government privately sent the United Kingdom a proposal last week to make reforms locally without the two-year dissolution of …
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Premier hoping for UK word on direct rule ‘very soon’
Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley hopes the territory will hear “very soon” whether the United Kingdom will impose direct rule for two years here, he said in a press conference …
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UPDATE: Guv announces criminal probes advised by COI
Governor John Rankin has instructed Police Commissioner Mark Collins to launch several criminal investigations recommended by the recently published Commission of Inquiry report. The investigations will probe four areas, Mr. …
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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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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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COMMENTARY — Waiting on UK response to COI
I am not surprised by the timeline published by the governor for the publication of the Commission of Inquiry report, because from his first announcement I estimated it would take …
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Governor gets COI report, but public doesn’t yet
Following the broadcast of dozens of testimonies and the collection of thousands of pages of evidence, the United Kingdom-led Commission of Inquiry into possible corruption in the Virgin Islands concluded …
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The 3 Cs: Governor talks Covid, COI, crime
Managing the pandemic, keeping up with the Commission of Inquiry, and overseeing changes within the public service made for a busy first year in office for Governor John Rankin. Mr. …
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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 …
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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Governor John Rankin cross-examined during Commission of Inquiry hearing
When Queen’s Counsel Sir Geoffrey Cox sat before the Commission of Inquiry last week to cross-examine Governor John Rankin, he bore down on a central question explored previously by the …
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COMMENTARY — Inquiry seen as a ‘last chance’
The man or woman who wants to understand the present Virgin Islands moment and look with clarity into the future must read and objectively assess recent history. At the very …
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HOA sends Willock fee motion to committee
The House of Assembly did not decide outright last week whether or not to excuse Speaker Julian Willock from personally paying more than $120,000 in legal fees he incurred while …
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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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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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COMMENTARY — In response to letter, a history lesson
Growing up in the Virgin Islands, I had the opportunity to hear and learn the meaning of certain sayings which we now refer to as local proverbs. Recently, I was …
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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 …
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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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 …
COMMENTARY — COI called ‘enforcer of good governance’
Without an enforcement mechanism ensuring that rules are followed by government officials, good governance is a mirage. Virgin Islands residents are today witnessing the true meaning of the rule of …
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COMMENTARY — COI called a ‘very public watchdog’
The Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry is a watchdog that acts as a guarantee of good behaviour by the powerful. VI residents today understand the true meaning of checks and …
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Willock: Lawyer costs ‘not my responsibility’
Speaker of the House Julian Willock has denied personal responsibility for paying legal costs related to his withdrawn request for an injunction against three Commission of Inquiry attorneys. Instead, his …
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Fraser dodges the blame for project in SCB
Opposition member Julian Fraser claimed on Sept. 16 to have limited knowledge of the unfinished Sea Cows Bay Harbour Development Project in his Third District, alternately blaming its many problems …
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Government blasted for ‘massive’ response on Covid grants
Though representatives for the Attorney General’s Chambers have repeatedly complained that the government lacks the time and resources to keep up with information requests from the Commission of Inquiry, Commissioner …
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