COI responds to AG’s concerns about ‘Belongership hearing’
The Commission of Inquiry (COI) has responded to a letter sent to them by the Attorney General (AG) Dawn Smith but has declined to publicise the details.
The Attorney General had written to the COI last Thursday expressing concerns about the Commission’s handling of its hearing with Immigration Minister, Vincent Wheatley who had given evidence on issues relating to Belongership.
“The Commissioner [The Rt Hon Sir Gary Hickinbottom] sent the Attorney General response to her letter on the day he received it … Given that these matters may be the subject of further evidence in due course, the Commissioner does not consider it would be appropriate to publish his correspondence with the Attorney General, at least at this stage in the COI’s proceedings: as always, he is anxious to maintain the integrity of evidence, and procedural fairness for all,” said Steven Chandler, the Secretary to the Commission.
The secretary also noted that prior to the AG’s letter, the Commissioner had written to her seeking further information in regards to “relevant matters” to the Inquiry. However, the AG had asked for more time to respond to the request.
The COI did not specify what those matters were.
Wheatley’s evidence and the AG’s concerns
As for last Thursday’s hearing, Wheatley had told the COI that the Virgin Islands Party administration had considered at least two convicted felons for Belongership at the beginning of its term in 2019.
He said based on his assessment of the two individuals, he concluded that they were of ‘good character’.
The AG responded to this by saying the minister was blindsided by the questioning and the COI did not provide him with a copy of the documents in a timely fashion to reacquaint himself with the facts of the case.
The COI was issued on January 19, 2021, to investigate whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty may have taken place amongst the public, elected and statutory officials in recent years. Based on the COI findings, they are expected to make appropriate recommendations in relation to governance and the operation of the law enforcement and justice systems in the Virgin Islands.
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Excuses excuses
Wheatley stated that the two convicted felons are of good character. How dare he!? when one has committed a serious crime, their belongers status should not even be considered.
But here we are, we have convicted felon, serving time outside the territory being considered for belongership. A rapist, still serving his time, is of good character according to Wheatley.
It is a slap in the face to all the persons who are law abiding, applied or attempt to apply for status but can’t get through due to sub standard processing and bureaucracy.
We, the people of this territory deserve better. We do not need our population to be padded by convicts, ex-convicts, and criminals hiding out.
Well said…sadly when a group of criminals are in leadership position, they will do all in their power to facilitate their fellow criminals.
Dorn should know don’t mess with the man. He above her grade. Would have been good if documents could be provided the same way the rebuttals come. We are better at tit for tat than doing real work. The one time civil servants have to do some real work and everybody working. Poor Irma and covid getting all the blame.
run along
The complete belonger status process need investigating..Its easy, To start just ask for all the application for people who here more than 30 Yrs..
Considering giving belongership to convicts yet you have decent hardworking people living here for 15 years and more and can’t even get a work exemption. BVI Love.
Oxana
The UK have violated our foreparents rights for decades now coming to play saints and heroes through their COI.
The COI is malicious. They mentioned this just to put the BVI people against each other so they can try to make their attempt to take over easier. The COI knows that the belonger status were not granted.
The only ones who should be worried are those who aided these people. Or benefited from them.
They too will burn
So far all who strong against the inquiry ate benefiting from the nepotism and curry favor going on. Remember the convicted young man sent the CoI a letter bout they illegal. See how it spin gsinst him. Ayo go ahead. It’s like the ice cream only for ayo and once it keep coming to hell with how the country go down the drain.
Good governance don’t exist in nothing as we’ve seen so far. And if thats ok with you, you’re part of why we where we are
The whole thing need investigating…I really hope Britain rake over for a while and make all the crookedness straight…
“The AG added that the revelations have prejudiced the rights to privacy and administrative fairness of the individuals and victims concerned. This, according to Smith, will cause unnecessary distress for the families of the persons involved.”
Methinks she doth protest too much. Looks like she’s trying to protect certain families because of who they are and what profession they are in. Many people already know who the rapist is! The other guy… not so much.
He committed a capital crime but his identity protected?
Just does not seem fair. Places the safety of others in jeopardy.
The whole system is biased against people weren’t born here – except for Belonger’s friends and families. If the same rules had been in place stopping people from become citizens in the UK then would have been uproar! Don’t get me wrong it should not be a free for all but if you have rules then should be the same for everyone.
He committed a capital crime but his identity protected?
Just does not seem fair. Places the safety of others in jeopardy.
racism people 90 percent of this locals mistreating those who really qualify for belongers and residence it is disgustin how this man is managing the rights of a human that has stroggle so much in this place to treat them with no respect COI DO SOMETHING PLEASE TO PROTECT OUR HUMANS RIGHT!