Governor rubbishes Speaker’s claims about Consolidated Fund
Governor John Rankin today refuted claims that he has chosen to dip into the territory’s Consolidated Fund in order to to pay for an attorney to represent him before the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (COI).
The claims, which were made by both the Speaker of the House, Julian Willock, and Premier Andrew Fahie, suggested that the governor threatened to invoke the section of the constitution that allows him to raid the Fund.
But in his appearance before the COI today, the governor rubbished the assertions and described them as not true.
“I hesitate to give a current example, but there have been statements made of late in relation to my position and my legal representation before this hearing which are frankly misleading and inaccurate. The suggestion that I would be using Section 103 of the constitution for my legal representation which is nonsense,” Governor Rankin said.
Governor Rankin said he hesitated previously to respond to the claims but felt it was legitimate to do so before the COI.
Both the Speaker and the Premier argued that it was unfair that the governor could be able to use the fund in that manner, even as the Speaker is unable to do so.
Willock is currently embroiled in a dispute about payment of his legal fees after he was adjudged before the High Court as being liable for costs in a now aborted injunction he brought against three COI lawyers.
The issue of payment — now finalised at a $98,000 bill — was brought to the House of Assembly (HOA) and is now being decided by a three-man committee where a decision is expected within the coming weeks.
Willock accused the COI lawyers of practicing illegally in the territory, but withdrew his injunction after failing to win the support of the Attorney General, Dawn Smith, in the matter.
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well sir you are experiencing for yourself how these what jaspert had to
endure with set of HYPOCRITES who think that they can outsmart everyone on this planet ?
Yep, it was like the wild wild west for a long time and when the Sheriff came to town…the “g@ng” was in an uproar
It’s a meat fest when it comes to blogging on this site. Dare to critique or oppose the narrative these perfect like Jesus beings get all up in their feelings! Likes dislikes and unlikes heavily weighted to support or oppose. They’re nuts I say coconut or pistachios? Yuk!
The AG did not support Willock’s action, but she did say in very clear terms that the CoI lawyers were breaking the criminal law because they were not admitted.
In time I am sure we all will see that we the BVI tax payers will pay for the Governor’s lawyers and we will see who was telling the truth.
You are so very wrong!
Does it appear to anyone else that the current government has a real problem with governors appointed by the Queen?
But rankin is getting 700 an hour attorney it is wrong they need to pay the speakers bill as he was NOT operating in his private capacity
I would strongly suggest that you cease blogging and pick up a book.
Is that you writing again Mr Willock. Time to pay your own bill Sir!
Who cares the blog is FACTS
It is very simple, if you act without authority then you are on your own. Let him learn to stay in his lane and not be up into everything like he is an elected official in his big wig looking like a cl**n. For someone who is so anti British it baffles me how he embraces this stupid looking English wig.
You would have asked for legal representation too if they came at you. The same lawyer who is suppose to be representing you coming for you? What would you do? Honestly. The Governor made it clear that he need legal representation so who would have represented him?
The Premier is repeatedly being outed as a l**r by the UK.
This governor telling l**s just like the last one
The bible by his side…lol…
We with willock government must pay the bill bam bam
Sorry I had to spell oppressor correctly, who is we? Think you are on you own Mr. Speaker.
Telling untruths is the public hallmark of the VIP. Everybody know that they are not capable of being truthful about anything. This cannot be the type of people we want to lead us. It just can’t.
So who exactly is paying for the governments attorneys ? oh wait we are …. but the hundreds of thousands …. If they have something to hide they should pay for their own defense, because they shouldn’t have anything to hide as they are all upstanding government officials right?
Worst Leadership ever! What shame and disgrace in Our Territory. Dissolve or remove Premier and Speaker immediately! How much more do We need to endure?
When de gubment get to work? Tink I brainless?
Picking up paper ans bottles on de donkey track to West End an insult.