Fraser does about-turn on COI! Now says Inquiry’s premise was faulty
Third District Representative Julian Fraser said recently that he felt the Commission of Inquiry’s (COI) premise was faulty and needed a closer look even before it ever began.
“I think that there was a lot to be desired. The premise upon which it was established, the COI, I think the documents that they used to conduct this investigation needed to be fact-checked before they started the investigation,” Fraser said at an Opposition-held press briefing recently.
“It came across as if they took whatever was in those documents to be gospel and it was far from being the case,” he added.
According to Fraser, from that standpoint, whomever was being subject to the COI started out at a disadvantage and that should not have been the case.
Fraser’s most recent remarks come as the COI’s report was received weeks ago by Governor John Rankin, but its release to the wider public has been delayed by roughly two months.
Legislator’s remarks represent an about-face
Meanwhile, it was Fraser who said just last year as the COI was ongoing that he felt the Inquiry was constructive in its efforts to improve governance in the BVI and said he was ‘all in’ at the time, regarding his support for the work being done.
“At this stage of my career and my long exposure to what obtains, I am not interested in listening to the same old stories, nor watching the same game over and over again. My belief is that the exercise you are engaged in is to be constructive, and as such, I’m all in. If however, I am to learn different, I’m out,” Fraser said at the time.
The veteran legislator made the remarks in his written position statement on good governance that was submitted to the COI. He chose to submit his position independent of other members of the House of Assembly (HOA).
It is unclear what might have changed to cause Fraser to flip-flop on his beliefs about the COI.
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I agree with Fraser on this. If they did not check the accuracy of the auditor general’s reports before hand then that is a problem. Somebody has to check the guards. I listened and heard many discrepancies in some of the reports. For complete fairness they should have allowed the witnesses through an attorney to cross examine the auditor general. They just took what was in those reports wholesale and used that as the basis for the questioning. That is wrong. Regardless of how you feel about the COI that is procedurally wrong and shows bias.
The Auditor General is not a puppy dog or barbie doll office, it’s serious business. The reason for getting persons to give evidence is so that they could defend themselves against what the AG said. The only person who probably represented themselves well against what the DG reports said were Walwyn and Steve with regards to the HS wall.
I agree with you especially with Walwyn and Steve on the high school wall. The two women from the education ministry also gave good and believable evidence to the COI. Maybe some things could have been better done procedurally but after hearing the evidence I do not believe that anything on towards happened there. I cannot speak that confidently for the other projects.
I liked how Steve handled himself. But his numbers didn’t add up. Seems like did a bad job with his estimates. Maybe he was just in over his head.
The man is nervous. He did *** deals with his brothers and now worried about indictment. There is a paper trail proving what he did. Now says the papers are faulty. Got to love the Belonger for his … Smart not so much.
So the Auditor General’s reports which had been laid before the House ages before COI were never questioned by anyone in the House for accuracy? Those reports were history, people and events were named and those people never said “I didn’t do it”. Then comes the COI and suddenly everyone is Shaggy and it wasn’t me. Come on. They never even asked the Registrar of Interests to testify as her files were so meticulous and detailed, every letter she ever wrote was in those files. No one, not even Fraser refuted anything in those files. He even admitted how kind she had been to them by telling them repeatedly they were delinquent in their filings. Why didn’t he ask about the authenticity and accuracy of those files then? Is this about the COI or how these guys performed before and since and now with an election looming they are all back peddling on what they said and did. Thank goodness all these interviews are on Youtube for all to see.
The reports were not the only things used. Besides that what the auditor general alluded told is known by the general public. We need to change course Fraser and now you have become a part of the problem. These men weak sah – mice branded
Did you watch the proceedings? The auditor was thoroughly questioned on all her reports. They couldn’t find many discrepancies because there weren’t many discrepancies. She’s thorough and effective in her job. If only the rest of the public service could be the same.
Humm! Setting the stage to vote in favor of Speaker not paying the bill.
There is no contradiction in what Fraser said here. These are two different issues. One has to do with the process used and the other has to do with his approval for good governance and improvements. Not the same thing at all.
VIP and NDP will unite against COI because both parties will be out of power soon.
Sounds good
If however, I am to learn different, I’m out,” Fraser said at the time.
HOW COME YOU SO QUIET ON HOW YOUR BUDDY IS SPENDING OUR ,(TAXPAYERS MONEY ) NOW HE LIKE A HAWK WITH HIS SIGHTS ON THE PENSIONERS $$ AND ARE LOOKING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION
BVI News always trying to cause division. Why would they not include all of his statement.
He said if he learned different, he was out.
He learned different, and so he is out.
BVI News need to stop or be stopped.
These guys doesn’t foster confidence of a vigilante citizen. These legacy “leaders” and those that wish to continue in their mold have all gotta go. VIP, NDP or whatever. Just a waste of time
For all these years these people been stealing from us, Lying to us. Now they are asked to answer for their indiscretions they are angry, agitated and scared…
YEAH SAH , I GOT KICK OUT IT TOO / (ANOTHER DIRECTION ) SO U GETTING CREATIVE
All I noticed was that ridiculous hairstyle. Fix it please!
How much we need to get back from the SCB Harbour project again?