AG chided for delayed release of unredacted transcripts
Attorney General (AG), Dawn Smith, has been chided for a very belated return of transcripts that the Commission of Inquiry (COI) had given to her for redaction considerations.
During a recent directions hearing, Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom, said the COI had only gotten the response to the redactions request late in the evening on Tuesday, just before the hearing was held.
The transcripts, which were ultimately never redacted, were for the 50th and 52nd days of the hearings when Governor John Rankin, former Governor Augustus Jaspert, and Premier Andrew Fahie had appeared before the Commission.
“In terms of transcripts for days 50 and 52, it’s taken a month for the attorney to get back to us, only to say that in fact they can be made public and no reductions are being sought. That is something which I thought that could’ve been done in a matter of minutes if not hours when the transcripts came through a month ago,” Sir Gary said.
He continued: “But in any event, those transcripts can be now made available to the public in full and we will put them up on to the website.”
Sir Gary further stated that someone who can speak on the issue of any redactions on behalf of the Attorney General will need to be present at the hearing next Wednesday when Governor John Rankin is expected to appear once again.
He said this in the event that any issues arise during the next hearing.
At the hearing, Governor Rankin will be cross-examined, likely by Sir Geoffrey Cox, who has represented the interests of the AG, and Ministers of Government by extension, during the course of the COI.
The COI is expected to wrap up proceedings early next year and issue a report on its findings shortly thereafter.
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mean while the premier is up in the UK bragging before everything is finalized, just hope that he doesn’t get the shock of his life after the conclusions
Whilst the Commissioner has sent warning letters about inept management of Govt affairs to various persons, he has not sent any warning letters to anybody stating that he is considering recommending a criminal investigation into anybody. He was obliged to send such a letter before making any recommendation to investigate criminal conduct.
In those circumstances, even this Commissioner must know that he is not permitted to make any findings that there is or was criminal behaviour (let alone the serious dishonesty and corruption alleged by the ex Governor).
The wild and unspecified allegations made by the ex Governor that senior politicians were involved in running drugs was so hopeless that the AG is not even seeking to cross examine him on it.
No wonder the Premier is talking in an upbeat manner in the UK – a 12 month COI is going to have to accept that it found no evidence of serious dishonesty or corruption.
Oh dear – what a monumental waste of UK and BVI tax payers money. We could have had a review of the inept management without all the allegations of corruption for much less money.
The race isn’t for the swift, take time! Everybody think they are the smartest in the room until they are outsmarted.
But it’s a know fact. A lot of politician and high ranking public officers are involved in drug trafficking, corruption and serious dishonesty.
so obviously you know something we don’t
Thank you for your opinion, Mr Willock.
Nice try to gaslight the findings..you really think this is done HUH?
With the ex governor statement about those in high places involved in drug trafficking and who wants apologies let it be known. To those who knows the story has never been told.
Was the COI solely on the “drug trafficking” issues in the Territory.
The Gov ,in a nutshell,is tools king in commonsense and nursing s to be successfully corrupt.
Incompetent and lacking in the importance of their duties and responsibilities to the people and country. What is done is for the benefit of themselves. Courtesy and truth is lacking.
An unsophisticated crude make shift structure of incompetency and illiteracy.
Iam hoping that the UK will see fit to run things for awhile and teach them the basics.
*****
Andrew should realize that what the people has concluded about him after personally hearing first hand reports that are now documented forever,is what really matters. There us no forgetting.
The Gov ,in a nutshell,is too lacking in commonsense and sensibility to be effectively corrupt.
Incompetent and lacking in the importance of their duties and responsibilities to the people and country. What is done is for the benefit of themselves. Courtesy and truth is lacking.
An unsophisticated crude make shift structure of incompetency and illiteracy.
Iam hoping that the UK will see fit to run things for awhile and teach them the basics.
*****
Andrew should realize that what the people has concluded about him after personally hearing first hand reports that are now documented forever,is what really matters. School children and the streets knows more than any COI. There is no forgetting the embarrassing and degrading blight visited on this territory at your request Andrew.
This AG not ready from time she block the injunction that told me a lot about her
Is not from long look. Not with what you say
The AG loves these British people but see how they embarrassed he she will learn
She was busy playing dolly house trying to gain their favour. Let them take that, they will learn.
Is the holder of the AG Office inferior to Mr. Loudmouth? I do not think so, he needs to stick to his task or duty and not be rude and out of place. I do not believe, that he would have disrespected a white Brit holding the AG post!
Leather Mouth needs to ease up on the AG and stick to his duty. I think he is racist and has slipped in a number of snide remarks which are unprofessional.