Governor unmoved! Says UK never insisted on elections delay
Governor John Rankin has again refuted claims that the United Kingdom (UK) played any role in insisting that BVI delay its general elections immediately after the release of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report.
The governor’s comments come in the wake of a statement by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley which argued that the so-called “no early elections” madate’ was the explicit request of UK officials during negotiations with the BVI government as the territory explored measures of staving off direct and temporary UK rule as recommended in the COI report. Dr Wheatley further argued that this provision was included in the final framework document agreed between the two sides, and quoted a section of a letter to the BVI government from the then-Overseas Territories Minister, Amanda Milling, which he said made this clear.
But according to Governor Rankin, his previous statement refuting this notion, was a true and accurate statement at the time. The governor also emphasised at a press conference last Friday, that the notion of delayed elections was the brainchild of BVI elected officials.
“The fact is that the proposal for a Government of National Unity, explicitly based on not holding an immediate election was one made by BVI political leaders,” Governor Rankin said. “It was not a proposal made either by myself as governor or by the UK government, and at no point did the UK government insist that no elections be held.”
He added: “That said, the reason given for why the Government of National Unity proposal ruled out an immediate election, was so that the process of reform and implementation could begin straight away. I discussed that with the UK government at the time and agreed that this seemed a reasonable position.
Opposition Leader Julian Fraser previously disclosed that the proposal for an all-party government was made by then-Opposition members to UK officials after the COI report was released and both Minister Milling and the governor indicated their interest through their body language and questions they were asking.
In the meantime, the governor said he has not accused the Premier of lying about the matter and said he had no intention of entering a further tit-for-tat discourse with Dr Wheatley moving forward.
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Exactly what we already knew. The premier always distorting facts with smoke and mirrors.
Well someone is lying…. Question is who?
They keep lying and lying and not implementing the reforms and resisting change at every point and yet the UK won’t take over. Soon we’ll be just like any of the other independent Caribbean countries where millions disappear and nobody is held to account.
The two of them have told untruths in the past so you don’t know which one to believe.
Call the Governor what he is…….a dsm blasted l**r just like Colombus.
Hold on a second, the UK came down here threatening to suspend elections, and in fact prepared an order in counsel to suspend elections, and they now have the guts to say that they had nothing to do with delaying elections. What kind of madness!?
Isnt this the same person who said that he didnt knew that there was an undercover operation going on when Foy got arrested?????????????
I use to have respect for the Governor but not anymore. You really cannot trust him nor anything he says.
Soon???
Governor you to damn l** stop it
Based on how the COI unfolded the Governor is a scam and dmned l**r and this news site purports colonialism
The politicians and the Governors twist details to suit their purposes
Our LOCAL leaders have a greater obligation to us as A people
1- The former premier lied to us see where he is
2. The politicians jump like grasshoppers from
One party to the next talking about ideology — All they care about is achieving their personal goals
Let us look at the present grasshoppers
A) Alvera D 6 C) Ingrid Moses ( deceptive) in place of Lesmore E) Paul on the ball – They jump from one Party Home to run with PVIM
How can these people be stable minded to run this country ?
Using love for country …. Love for personal gain
You cannot fool
Us anymore
Governor’s meal is booked. It was the Sl** one who was singing for his supper.
Governor ain’t foolin nobody. He think people stupid. You really believe the Acting Premier woulda just drop two of his own Ministers for Marlon and Mitch if he coulda simply call an election? The Governor want us believe the UK was not about to suspend the constitution unless a COI arrangement was not immediately worked out? Go to the polls how? Please. Give me a break. Nothing but another attempt to destabilize the place to try get who he want elected.