BVI News

COI found no smoking gun so witch hunts should be avoided

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has reasoned that the Commission of Inquiry (COI) found no incontrovertible incriminating evidence as it examined the state of governance in the BVI. However, he suggested the dynamics of the COI may have changed as the inquiry progressed. 

Premier Wheatley was at the time speaking to attendees at an engagement hosted in the United Kingdom (UK) where he met with members of the BVI diaspora. 

“I don’t think they found a smoking gun, so to speak, but I think they found a situation where the systems were not strong enough to be able to prevent something from happening,” Dr Wheatley said.

He continued: “So, it became an inquiry into the strength of our government, as opposed to an inquiry into corruption.“

The COI was established to determine whether there was evidence that corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty took place in public office in recent years, and if so, what conditions allowed this to happen.

No witch hunts or victimisation 

Meanwhile, Premier Wheatley said he was not suggesting that the audits and investigations — some of which he said are criminal in nature — that were set up after the inquiry’s findings, would not find wrongdoing. 

“They very well might be able to point to something that was done that reflects a corrupt practice,” the Premier said. 

He added that he felt it was good for the BVI to be able to examine itself and to be able to see areas where the territory needs to improve. 

He further stated that wherever wrongdoing was found, persons should be held accountable.

“But certainly there should be no witch hunts and there should be no victimisation of persons. Persons should be given due process and I think in some instances, we’ll probably see certain things go to court and persons will have to defend their name,” the Premier added. 

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21 Comments

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  1. Wat? says:

    There was enough corruption exposed to all that bother to watch the hearings, that the COI recommended the Constitution be suspended.

    Millions were spent by the UK on the COI and millions more spent representing the BVI Government during the COI.

    “I don’t think they found a smoking gun, so to speak, but I think they found a situation where the systems were not strong enough to be able to prevent something from happening,” Dr Wheatley said.

    Wat? BVI is in big trouble.

    Like 29
    Dislike 3
  2. Jack says:

    Then why has this moo moo accepted all the recommendations?

    Like 16
  3. no gun says:

    just a fkn gunsmith for a premier and zero reps that could follow the laws they write . . . .

    Like 15
  4. No smoking gun says:

    Just hundreds of smelling piles of sh%t all over the place..seriously now saying that nothing is wrong?

    Like 19
  5. YES TO UK says:

    We can’t believe a word this Se**ent says he is just as bad as his good friend and teacher Andrew. If the COI didn’t find any corruption, why did suggest that the Constitution be suspended for 2 years? You all are so use to corruption you don’t know what corruption is.

    Like 24
  6. Popeye says:

    What? The 900 page COI report found over 50 instances of gross mismanagement and likely corruption.

    Are we still stuck in the first phase of grief which is DENIAL? Let’s move forward towards ACCEPTANCE.

    Like 26
  7. Hmm says:

    Are there not criminal investigations ongoing as a result of the findings during the COI? Do we just launch criminal investigations for no reason? So the nepotism abuse of public funds the denial of information to the auditor general; people being paid for work they didn’t do; failure to declare anything; failure to follow the procedures that ensure fairness and good governance…getting approval in the house for things that already happen… none of that is a smoking gun that corruption exist in the BVI is what he saying?

    Like 14
  8. Witch hunt? says:

    We’ll need a big set of scales and a duck !

    Like 4
    Dislike 2
  9. BVI News says:

    From months of comments on various news posts I am now convinced that BVI News is clearly a site for haters of the Virgin Islands- a sad exposure indeed

    Like 1
    Dislike 19
  10. First says:

    First be known that any corruption singled out in the COI would prevent prosecution. Thus, a recommendation to suspend the constitution was recommended so that law enforcement can investigate and prosecute. There were so many instances of smoking guns that if accusations were made under the COI, those involved could claim that the information gathered by Sir Gary could not be used against the criminals. Thus, Sir Gary carefully cited issues to be investigated properly by law enforcement. Slow Andy please educate yourself of the terms of the COI. Making statements like you did just shows your intent to cover up your actions and those of the other Ministers, Secretary’s and Department Heads. Governor it is time to suspend the Constitution. You are allowing the criminal behavior to continue as they will not comply with the agreement they themselves proposed.

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
  11. @First says:

    Yup. Amazing that a Territory that desires eventual self rule can keep electing such uneducated people to govern. This statement… clearly shows …

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  12. @Jack says:

    Good question.

  13. Tasty says:

    The UK Government rejected the primary recommendation of the CoI to suspend the constitution. That is unprecedented, and demonstrates that the UK were very concerned about the way the CoI was conducted.

    Dislike 12
  14. TruDat! says:

    Thank you – I laughed so hard at that.

  15. lol says:

    Good try.

  16. no smoking gun. says:

    A government littered with bomb craters.

    What is WITH this guy, one day he makes sense- next day he backtracks and doublespeaks.
    AAAARRRGGGHH!
    Stop trying to please everyone, Sir! BE a patriot and LEAD your people into a secure and stable future.

  17. Guns says:

    are still smoking, all the ammo is aimed at the BVI and will arrive soon enough. Just keep playing your game of delay and denial until the live rounds arrive and blow up your ‘unity’ government.

  18. Licker and Sticker says:

    COI showed that we have trash politicians and policy makers in this territory. Somebody need to spell that out to Slow Wande

  19. What are you smoking!? says:

    I think the Head Coach was the smoking gun brother!
    And then if you read the COI…there is a bunch more of you going to jail (or going to pay back the UK for the money you stole)

  20. BVI to the Bone says:

    We’ll all know who posts on BVI News. It’s no secret. The negative views against the VI and VIslanders comes from the ungrateful who simply want to take over and control the VI and make VI subservient.

  21. Boner says:

    Those who post negative views of the BVi are those who see things for how they real are rather than being childish defenders of the unacceptable theft of decency here.

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