Blame the gov! Investigations, rifts stem from old tensions — Fraser
Opposition Leader Julian Fraser said he blames the former United Kingdom governor for the tension arising over the issue of who held responsibility for the territory’s security during the height of COVID-19 three years ago.
That tension is one of several underlying issues surrounding a recently released audit report and the Third District Representative suggested it is what ultimately led to the BVI’s Commission of Inquiry (COI).
As the territory navigated periods of lockdown and curfews, then-Premier Andrew Fahie pushed for the deployment of radar platforms perched on barges to be used as surveillance mechanisms which were expected to detect and deter illegal entry into the BVI.
This was done despite strong protests coming from other members of the National Security Council (NSC).
Back then, Fahie declined the offer of free assistance from the United Kingdom government presented by then-governor Augustus Jaspert to have the HMS Medway patrol the BVI’s waters.
Fraser in the meantime, described the experience of the former governor immediately after the 2017 hurricanes as a sense of power the governor never had before.
“When COVID came, [Jaspert] saw it, he smelt it. He felt it, but he just didn’t get it,” Fraser said in the House of Assembly recently. “He didn’t get it because the laws of the Virgin Islands were adequate enough to protect the sitting government from being subjected to such conditions… So right away, this competition started to build, this tension started to build.”
Fraser told his fellow lawmakers that the debate on the audit report for radar platforms used during COVID-19 was not important to him, but rather he was more interested in the bigger question of constitutional responsibility which was reposed in the Governor’s Office.
Governor will pull the last punch
According to the constitution, the governor holds responsibility for the territory’s internal and external security.
However, Fraser questioned how things got to the stage of a conflict over who had the ultimate responsibility at the end of the day for the barges being deployed.
“I blame the governor. I do,” Fraser said.
“So all of this, this war and tussle between the governor and the Premier led us to where we are today,” Fraser argued. “All these Commission of Inquiry, people came here and they start digging under tree roots, looking under your house. This is where it all started.
The Third District Representative said he wasn’t defending anyone, but insisted that “if people out there believe that it’s over”, they were likely mistaken.
“It’s not finished. It’s not over. So we have to come to grips with the fact that those are the realities. And if you’re going to have tension between the governor and the premier, somebody is going to pull the last punch, and I think the governor would always be the one to pull the last punch,” Fraser argued.
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FRASER FOR PREMIER
Why wont he shut up go home, and clean up his district.
This contribution from Fraser is surreal after what came out in the CoI and the Head Coach episode; and that is without the question of how the billions of government revenue paid in since the 1980s got used.
Look around; what do we have for it? Fire pits at Pockwood Pond!
We still waiting on your Sea Cow’s Bay project with your family that you profited so well from. Strap in Sir. The COI was not just about Governor’s power, or you trying to lay blame on him for all things wrong with the BVI. What you did, what your family did in Sea Cow’s Bay (and Lord alone know what else) milking the public’s money I hope you get your day on the stand to explain.
But for now, you seem to be as non-stick as Teflon and how you are getting away with things is pretty amazing to me!
In final though, I do agree with ‘flat top’ that multiple Governors sat there and watched elected politicians do things, and get away with things that shock me. There is no question that multiple Governors are part and party to having let the public down and watched in Cabinet while some of the most dubious and questionable things were passed and doing nothing.
How can he say all this when the sitting Premier is in Miami awaiting charges for drug smuggling and money laundering?
There are some people who have their heads buried so far that they will always look for others to blame. These people can never be allowed to sit in positions of power again.
I sincerely believe it is time for round two. Bring back kickerbottom to light some fire under their bottom. Britain should send their own prosecutors to prosecute these cases. Too many familiar spirits in the little bvi.
Its comments like this that illustrate exactly why this man should never see any sort of political power ever again. GO HOME.
That is the problem right there Fraser; (Accountability).
The Premier put himself there and made so many complaints to the Governor about anything and everything. So what now.
As a matter of fact where is he now!
Fraser couldn’t be found after the hurricane nor could a number of sitting politicians so I don’t blame the Governor for getting a grip. Only the Governor could have got all those soldiers and police here, not this guy!
I seem to recall when Gus Jaspert arrived every other so called public figure / politician had gone into hiding or left Island, assisting with the emergency was too much like hard work no personal profit in it!
What a load of typical Fraser crap. Is this nan mentally stable?
The tension between Jaspert and Fahie was because Jaspert knew Fahie was an alleged drug dealer and said so.
Plenty of other members of the government knew. In fact I doubt any of them didnt know.
FORMER PREMIER
I was musing as to why this news outlet would cover the utter illogic of the Representative’s point of view, then realized- WE ARE BEING INFORMED.
Thank you, BVI News.
*The more you know (now picture a rainbow)
(also make sure to vote)
Fraser will not face anything from that project because he was smart enough to let the Premier at the time approve all of it. Was it wrong? Perhaps. But can they do him anything under the law? Not at all!
Response to @Salty Fish
You are so right Brother/Sister.
Shame such smarts were never used to the benefit of us the people.
But you’re right. It sail off into the sunset with all his ill-gotten gains.
“Former Premier” – Not at the time of his arrest!
I trying to find the logic in this article… what the governor have to do with the stupid decision to refuse free border security from a navy ship and opt to squander 2 mil on barges instead… The COI show all of us many instances where our government was backwards corrupt and incompetent… one of them even call a rapist a good man cause he went school with him… Our government at the time was corrupt idiots… what exactly you blaming Jaspert for?
Now is the time…. Put an option on the voting ballots for all BVISLANDERS ‘OUR GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED US, WE CAN’T TRUST OUR OWN PEOPLE, LET THE UK GUIDE US FOR A PERIOD OF TIME’ – I think the results would speak for themselves.
Premier of which country? Obviously not BVi.
That would be stupid.
4 of them corrupt politicians already Ban from holding ministerial positions and they are bitter, very angry. They thought they could just do what they. Now they kno that they can’t..Now they are like attack Dogs.
ALWAYS someone else’s fault.
Listen I am so tired of all these paid bloggers, under every story on this site especially, with comments that feature the UK needs to take over narrative. Give it a rest, your subversive campaign isn’t working! @Put your money where your mouth is
“I got a piece of the pie so I got to defend the crime”.
This man just explained to me how excited the former governor was to step in and ensure the national security of the country during the vulnerable time of covid. His excitement to actually do his job. A time when the territory should have been looking to save as much of the public’s money as possible. The former governor, with his youth, energy and can-do attitude saw the vision, smelt the vision, felt the vision but could not get the vision executed because an alleged money laundering drug lord was making his own plans and Fraser really going to conclude that it was the former governor’s fault? No man! Is retirement judged by age alone or by assessment of one’s mental soundness and capacity?
1. Aaron IN Fraser OUT – time to stand down ) you want progress give the young man a chance . You sound stupid defending the Premier and his corrupt green cloth , obeah part led by the worst leader in Bvi history .
2. Myron IN Alvera Out – lady time to stand down . You show no loyalty to your party . You cannot represent your D6 like your opponent. He is better able to represent your D 6 District . You would jump
When the time is right again . Your opponent showed loyalty, determination, courage , tenacity, and strength in the face of hatred , lies, discouragement , and injustice . You buckled
3. Marlon In Allen Wheatley out – You Allen went to jail for dishonesty for touching Govt money for six months
You run down the family business
You ab**e and ch**ted on your spouse . The people who are supporting you are worst than you . No integrity
Waiting on the SCB Audit
I was against Britain taking over, Thought I would see change, thought the mentality would change. And as the gravity of the corruptions are been revealed and the no sense defense of them along with the continued disrespect of the governor. I now believe that Britain has made a mistake not taking over for 2 yrs.
Yes the governor has the final word. But, the governor is aldo wise. Can anyone recall with the previous government when the then governor overruled the premier and authorized extra spending to equip the police. There was one big uproar about Governor taking over the country. Fraser himself would be out front talking about how the British bring soldiers to take over the Island. You just can’t please our people, even when it is for their own good.
To the people who want the UK to take over, have you ever lived in the UK. I’m talking for like 5 solid years at least. If no, please take several seats. As long as racism is still alive, that could never be a safe option. For bleeding sake look at the police bill the governor trying to push through. If the UK had taken over, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE A SAY, IT WOULD BE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW. Let that be an indication. Your brain…use your brain.
I am no paid blogger – trust me. All I suggested was that the option was put on the ballot slip, and YES, I have suggested it before. The problem right now is that the people set to benefit from the ongoing corruption are the vocal ones who don’t want the UK to come in – they used to be a majority, but now with a larger voting population, they’re in the minority and the majority do not set to benefit from the corruption and the majority are not stupid. They listened to the COI, those being questioned had no good reason for the blatant theft of public money. The UK have nothing to gain from taking over here and setting the correct protocol in place to benefit the majority, but the minority of corrupt politicians and cronies who have controlled the public purse for way too long have everything to lose. All I am suggesting is that the people of the BVI are given the choice. If the majority do NOT want the UK to take over, you have nothing to worry about.
Red herring your being ugly wont help your devil dealing. But I won’t do your mudda with a maggot D..k