COI charges aren’t frivolous
Governor John Rankin has moved to defend the Commission of Inquiry (COI), stating that none of the charges for misconduct or misuse of public funds were frivolous.
Recently, Deputy Premier Lorna Smith said the Governor was focusing on COI charges, which are “less serious” while other serious crimes continue to rise.
And at a press conference last Friday, a journalist asked the Governor if the UK would pay damages if persons slapped with COI charges are later proven to be innocent. When asking the question, the journalist said some of the charges “appear to be frivolous.”
In response, Governor Rankin said, “I’m not aware of any frivolous charges which have been brought; though that’s a matter in which there could be different views. Charges are only brought after a careful investigation by the RVIPF and then by the independent decision of the DPP. So I would not describe the charges as frivolous in that fashion,” Governor Rankin explained.
After defending the COI charges, Governor Rankin then addressed whether the UK would pay damages if persons are found innocent and sue the British government for the charges they picked up after the COI.
“The short answer is that it depends on the nature of the civil lawsuit, the findings of the civil lawsuit, and who is precisely responsible for something that has gone wrong. I think we’d need to examine all of those points before we can answer that specific question,” Governor Rankin said.
Though a few persons including D6 Representative Myron walwyn has picked up charges in relation to the COI, the public is still waiting to see how they will be prosecuted and what the final outcomes will be.
In the meantime, the public has different views on the COI charges – some see them as frivolous and insignificant while others see them as a reminder that the UK still has authority over the BVI and could exercise it at their discretion, once their desires are being met by locally-elected leaders.
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The DPP is not capable of exercising independent judgment or even sensible judgment – surely the Governor does not trust her judgment. She does what she is told by the UK because she knows that she is on borrowed time and that nobody supports her staying in office.
A third view held by the public is that the COI charges are not frivolous, but are serious and indicators of corruption.
Please – this last sentence in your article was clearly opinion and should not have been included in a NEWS article.
The last sentence, if it is opinion, makes no sense at all. If people are doing what the UK wants what would be the motivation to take control? Logic?
i praying for a u.k takeover we need a cleanup
It’s not going to happen. Why would the UK want to wade into this mess?
It sort out over time. And it look like a long time. Think we need a few more Governments to come through and a few more Governors to rotate in/out.
All this nonsense and fancy words on the CoI just complicate the entire situation. There is really only one issue: The boys in charge going to keep they hand out of the cookie jar?
Notwithstanding this territory has competent persons who would have gotten more done, you have to get more involved to get these policies in place. Your second in command is one of the boys.
The COI is not frivolous. Thirsting for power and bouncing to another party, when the electorate voted for you in different party…….that’s frivolous.
everybody should know by now * what * went on / * what * went down etc , so why are you so determined to throw your sarcastic lyrics at the lady for ?
/ when are U going to change that vindictive mentality ? And Please stay on your yello site where you rule Supreme “O” thou master
is when the Premier gives away large amounts of money to his cronies to pay their credit card bills, their medical bills, to buy large appliances or rent ships to ‘secure’ the borders of the BVI.
BUT the world is watching the people.