Governor projects making COI report public in June
The Virgin Islands public might have to wait until at least June before they will be allowed access to the extensive Commission of Inquiry (COI) report, according to Governor John Rankin
In a press statement today, Rankin said it is his intention to first share the report in confidence with Premier Andrew Fahie and then with the leaders of the different political parties represented in the House of Assembly.
The Governor said this was to allow discussions to take place on a cross-party basis between them, Ministers in the UK and himself.
“I trust that the confidence in which the report is shared will be respected and I hope that these discussions will take place in the third week of May. Thereafter, my aim will be to publish the report as soon as possible – in June, if not before. It is essential that the handling of this Report is done in the right way, and I believe by adopting this approach, we will get to an outcome that is in the best interests of the people of the British Virgin Islands,” Governor Rankin said.
Based on the governor’s proposed timeline, at least two months will have lapsed between the time he received the report and when it is made public.
Speculative attempts to discredit report
In the meantime, the governor also noted that in keeping with his previous statement, he understands there will be speculation and attempts to discredit or second-guess the COI report and recommendations.
“I ask you to reserve judgement until it is published. I thank you for your patience, and I will provide another update in May,” Governor Rankin added.
Rankin said he had an opportunity to review the report in detail and highlighted that it covered important topics and recommendations including issues around governance, the Constitution and strengthening or reinforcing existing legislation.
“My aim remains to ensure that the best interests of the people of the British Virgin Islands are central to governance at all levels. The COI examined a broad range of issues that are the building blocks of any effective and successful jurisdiction. By addressing them properly, we can strengthen the foundations of governance in the British Virgin Islands to meet the challenges of the future in an open, transparent and fair way,” the Governor said.
“The Commission was established by my predecessor in January 2021, and it has been a long process to get to this point. I recognise that people want to see the Report as soon as possible in full, and for work to start on improving governance in the territory,” he continued.
The COI took place over a 15-month period and the report prepared by Sir Gary Hickinbottom and his team was sent to the Governor on April 4. According to Rankin, it has more than 1,000 pages and over 40 recommendations.
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The second it reaches the greater HOA it is almost certain to leak out in its entirety long before June!
So don’t bother Governor, every man, woman, and his/her dog would have come to their own conclusions long before you deem the lowly and unimportant Public worthy of the COI’s release!
The Governor should be thanked for this decision which allows the Government, and the opposition, to consider and prepare for the publication of the report and be in a position to respond to questions about it. The position is in complete contra-distinction to the approach adopted by the former Governor who wished to cause as much damage to the Territory as possible by announcing the CoI in as dramatic a way as possible, and briefing the UK press before informing the local Government.
Not sure it will be in their interest to leak it but will this period by used by our Premier and elected Officials to continue to use public money, by instructing Withers, Sir Geoffrey, Silk Law etc to begin to mount their defense for a criminal trial?
I surely hope that the Governor has made certain that any criminal investigation that was recommended is not in full swing so that the necessary criminal charges can be laid when the report is released in June.
Any politicians or public offices convicted should NOT BE ELIGABLE FOR A PUBLIC PENSION!!
Is this the 10 commandments for the BVI?
from beating around the bush like some suspense movie
I guess by then all the replacement people from the UK will be already in here and settled
We must wait in the wings while they prepare a take-over. The question is what is the country’s contingency plan? What will happen if this thing goes South?
I guess by then all of the replacement people from the UK will be already in here and settled
“In a press statement today, Rankin said it is his intention to first share the report in confidence with Premier Andrew Fahie and then with the leaders of the different political parties represented in the House of Assembly.”
Did he meant to say the Government (not Fahie) and then with the opposition (not its leaders)? I stand to be corrected. Also, who is responsible for letting the public know – the Governor or the Government (elected by the people)? I guess the Government can’t be trusted with the truth – fair enough.
Bull S**t
That’s the problem with the System, they always put the people last when the people should be first, so that mentality will always have politicians thinking that they are superior ..People first is a fundamental and systematic change that’s needed for us to see real change..Check urself Mr
Governor…
To them, we the people, are a stupid inconvenience that prevents them from doing as they wish.
I hope that one of the 40 recommendations is that government officials be held accountable for their actions.
1. That they are tried in a court of law and punished by jailing them or big fines.
2. Also, if found guilty of any crime they forfeit their pension which is paid by tax payers money.
3. That they can’t hold public
That is my piece.
Mr. Rankin, your delay in letting the public will not change the outcome of the report. It is what it is, so the right thing to do is release it now sir. We deserve a right to know the verdict
“Rankin said it is his intention to first share the report in confidence with Premier Andrew Fahie and then with the leaders of the different political parties represented in the House of Assembly.”
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I will bet my big toe the report will not remain in confidence once shown to the parties noted.
When crap starts hitting the fan, I don’t expect anyone to keep their mouths closed.
There is no such thing as a closed mouth in these neck of the woods. I predict that confidence placed will be abused and the spin and defense of the reports finding will begin as it is shown in “confidence”.
Anyone else care to bet their big toe that that report will not remain in confidence?
not my big toe. LOL
but am with you on the other claims
WHY???
I suggest that all the politicians in the HOA who are consulted about the CoI report be immediately placed in solitary confinement in an undisclosed location outside the BVI and banned from access to any telecommunication devices until July.
By step 2 in the process it will be public…
The report must be published in full. The arrogance of these people in their belief that we are not to know until they have had a chance to spin it and for the guilty to prepare their defence ( or catch the first boat out ) is breathtaking.
Is there a recommendation for how to get rid of weak and useless governors. ?
Once the Premier gets it so will his cronies. I have lost all respect for the Governor, as he is really taking ua for fools, that the public must wait until June.
Do not let us down. If noone is held accountable this will mean that we are a cowboy country and you know what cowboy do.
The Governor could have done things differently but he take the high road and must be commended. It is left to the persons elected to be trusted, because it is there lack of due diligence that we are in this good mess. At lease they could redeem themselves by being trustworthy not to reveal any content of the report not even there spouses or Mr.CSC who would reveal it to the public even before the ink dries as he always does. No respect, self-centered.
NOPE, JUST CUNNING , AND LOOKS LIKE HE GOT SOME SWEATING AND SOME WORRIED , LIKE YOURSELF ? YEP ?
One of the primary problems with many of us who wish to chastise the Governor is that we lack respect… for the law, rules, regulations, others’ opinions etc.
I would even venture to say that our deficiencies in these areas may have caused us to be where we are now … want in haste, repent at leisure?
Nothing is wrong with what he has proposed. In my humble opinion he is being responsible and using integrity, as anyone in that post should do.