Governor’s proposed Commission of Inquiry sidesteps due process
While stating that his government welcomes a transparent Commission of Inquiry, government minister Carvin Malone has questioned the basis of the investigations announced by Governor Augustus Jaspert on Monday.
Responding to the governor’s announcement of an inquiry on behalf of Fahie administration, Malone gave strong suggestions that the soon-to-launched probe contravenes the intention of the Act that governs the Commission.
Malone started by quoting an excerpt from the Commission of Inquiry Act (Cap. 237 Section 2).
“It shall be lawful for the Governor whenever he shall deem it advisable, to issue a commission appointing one or more commissioners, and authorising such commissioners, or any quorum of them therein mentioned, to inquire into the conduct or management of any department of the public service in the territory or of any public officer of the territory, or of any parish or district, or into any matter in which an inquiry would, in the opinion of the Governor, be for the public welfare,” Malone cited.
“Each such commission shall specify the subject of inquiry…” he added.
Governor’s statement did not specify an inquiry
Using those citations as premise for his argument, Malone said that based on Governor Jaspert’s announcement of the investigations, it did not specify what the Commission is investigating as required by the Act.
He said: “The Act directs that any inquiry shall be specific. If there exist other specific concerns which have not been examined by the Public Accounts Committee, the Auditor General, or the Police, this should be clearly stated and due process allowed.”
“As stated on numerous occasions by the governor, a Commission of Inquiry would only be conducted based on facts and not rumours and unfounded allegations,” he further argued.
Institutions of accountability should be utilised first
Malone further said the measures being taken by the governor currently sidestep the processes local institutions take to ensure accountability and transparency.
Such processes include the drafting of annual reports for government agencies and Malone argued that they should not be skipped.
“It is only after these stages of the process are completed and investigations deemed inconclusive would the way be paved for a Commission of Inquiry. This has always been the process followed because it is the only process that allows for good governance to function in a manner that keeps the tenets of democracy sacred,” he explained.
“Governor Jaspert further stated to Cabinet Members on numerous occasions that to ensure due process, all government institutions established to ensure accountability, transparency and good governance would be allowed to function and produce their reports,” Malone further said.
VIP government continues to inquire on outstanding scandals
Malone’s statement also made mention of three of the territory’s largest scandals to date — ones that occurred under the previously governing National Democratic Party.
According to Malone, his government has been actively working to get to the bottom of the cases which require investigations.
He said: “Starting in March 2019, weeks after taking office, this Government Administration under the leadership of Premier Andrew A. Fahie made and continues to make inquiries of Governor Augustus Jaspert concerning the steps to be taken in an effort to clear the names of accused persons in relation to any of the three major investigations that were conducted by the Public Accounts Committee, the Auditor General, and/or the Police, namely: a. The Pier Park Project, b. BVI Airways [and] c. The Elmore Stoutt High School Wall.”
Malone said no further comments on the matter be forthcoming from his government until more details on the investigation is revealed to his administration.
Governor orders Commission of Inquiry to investigate BVI gov’t
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THE GOVERNOR IS ON SOUND FOOTING: ONE MAN GOING DOWN: DON’T GO DOWN WITH HIM.
The Governor IS specific! He is specificallly saying this governent and the cronies around it is corrupt. It’s really simple.
move out the way sir.
So all of a sudden you could read the act. It was specific about multiple dealings. One inquiry ain’t no match for youall. Imagine all the non existent and defunct companies that got stimulus money. Gus, I could help you out. Send the Judge to me. Check all them government project managers both current and past who only gave contracts because they could get kickbacks. They give hell to contractors who they can’t get to bend. Tun up the things them. Put a box down government house so people can drop off tips to you. The unmerciful cureupsion need to come to a halt
You can tell how clueless this administration is. This inquiry did not come from Governor Gus directly but straight from the Foreign Commonwealth Office specifically and the House of Parliament in the United Kingdom. As a BVIlander studying in the UK the information was presented by the Minister for Overseas Territories. This administration is so clueless and have no idea what they are doing they join in simply following their leader copying and posting verbatim what the Premier stated on all their social media pages. Not one single unique independent thought. This simply proves they have no say, cannot think for themselves neither object to anything their leader does.
Mr Minister how more specific do you want to Gov to be. Corruption in high office. Anything else that falls under that heading. And no we are not waiting until the books are cooked. We want it now. We have the power to go to any office and collect the books.we are not sending them so they can get lost along the way. This is serious business Mr Minister. They also need to send about 5 investigative officers with certain powers.i think what Buckingham Palace should do is send back Gus to act as Premier while this investigation is going on. This is going to take a long time. These allegations stink to high heaven. By the way sir when did you become the mouth piece of the Government.
Moving quick quick. Anyone shredding should be reported.
How about you sit down Malone and STFU. It’s obvious you are concerned. Not for the people but your own hide and that of your family and cronies. Perhaps you should make a quick exit while it’s still an option for you. Thank you Gus. You will be remembered in the future for saving the BVI.
A quick exit sounds about right
Mr Minister are you saying by specifics that if the Premier dogs habitually bark at night and a complaint was made. The police goes to investigate. While on his lawful duties he realizes that the Premier dog has rabies he can not investigate because he was checking on noise. Are you saying sir that if I am in receipt of a search warrant for drugs and while searching I come across a firearm that I suspect is unlicensed that I can not enquire because firearms are not on the warrant. Just asking minister, answer if you can. I say Gus for Premier.
It’s a wish hunt
ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY A WITCH HUNT? WITCH HUNT OR NOT, SOMEONE(S) GOING DOWN. EVERYONE IS RUNNING SCARED TONIGHT. BOTH VIP AND NDP. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MANY PHONES IS BLAZING OFF THE HOOK? TRUST ME, BOTH VIP AND NDP IS RUNNING SCARED. THEY NEVER EXPECT THIS SHAKE UP WAS COMING. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? IN MY MOST SARCASTIC TONE, GOODDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!
This is how I am more convinced than ever that this team needs to go. They should have never been elected in the first place. Frankly, they do not have neither the experience, knowledge or plain old common sense to handle anything. Hon. Malone, this is something that has great implications for our country including our two main pillars. Couldn’t you find some common sense inside and speak to that and try to put the country in a better light? You instead chose to highlight what you seem to think is corruption with the NDP. Whether it is corruption with the NDP or VIP it affects the country. You guys have overstayed your welcome in my opinion. Very disappointing leadership. Petty leadership. Narrow minded leadership. Narcissistic leadership.
Like wise as well, I would also welcome the Minister to answer just as well. However, getting such answer is like searching for a needle in a bale of hay
Why is he so worried? The question should be why it take so long.
Simply brilliant. Why it took so long.
Maybe its to investigate who does the potholes so bad that they a few days later they need doing again – just go look at the ones after The Pub – two big holes and the big one before near Sow of the Seeds Church after the garage near green skip. Holes appearing back again.
Maybe Gus does it because he can not trust anyone.
Mr Malone – Gus is not your enemy. The people who are the target of the investigation – they are your and mine and all the people’s enemy.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/politics/13777462/taxpayer.
Copy and paste link.
That’s the kind of smear article they are using. It’s full of lies rumors and sprinkles of truth twisted in the worst ways. These people are devious
what’s wrong with using local money for covid relief they make it seem as though our government used U.K. tax payers money when that is the money the local economy has generated through our social security payments
It is tax payers money bvislanders and belongers. To be used in a transparent fair manner.
What I remember is the U.K. said we have to find our own covid relief. What do you mean use in a transparent manner?
Do you mean the Transparency where they would rather have our officials spend the people’s money on trips and ‘development’ while the people suffer.
Did the US or U.K. release info of who received Covid aid? Yes we want them to use the money to help the people but you have to respect individuals privacy.
Don’t ask of the BVI what you wouldn’t stand for in the U.K.
I am sick of past government’s hands off approach in fear of being accused while the people suffer. I am sick of these allegations thrown about when they people needed relief during Covid and the U.K. said we had to Handle it.
They handled it with BVI money. Now the U.K. wants to cry foul.
that their plan all along??
BVI money IS UK money
BVI as a territory IS part of the UK
BVI as a territory IS a colony
Facts.
According to the article…”This includes “endemic corruption, rampant cronyism, diversion of public funds into the pockets of political allies – including emergency funds to help the COVID-19 response – bullying, harassment, intimidation and coercion.”
I think that is the grounds
Where are those guys getting their legal advice from? It’s just amazing. Hope they are not paying huge sums of taxpayers funds to these incompetent advisors.
The Governor exercised a little of his constitutional powers which disappointly was long long long overdue and greatly provoked by the current administration.
If there is nothing to be afraid of, why attempt to question its legitimacy? Sadly, it is a known fact that corruption is rampant in the BVI among politicians, senior public officers, law enforcement, the judiciary, some private citizens, just to name a few. Not all persons are corrupt, but corruption is rampant.
Can we check out all the earth works in Sea Cows and the past nonsense done with F*****’s brothers and Governments (ours) money. An the the rest. Send the lists to the Governor. He going to be busy!!
What a load of Malone..a mean…Baloney. There is no prerequisite for the AG or PAC to have done an investigation before there can be a COI. Plus, go look to the terms of reference for what the COI is tasked to do and not media reports. That is where you will find the subject matter etc.
I wager this govt is going to try to amend the Act to take away from the Gov the power to appoint a commission of inquiry.
Where is the deputy ?? Where is the Premier ? He did not choose you for Deputy !! Let the deputy defend !! Captain ?✈️ the ship is sinking !!
You are too old to be this petty and foolish Hon. Malone. Don’t you realize that this is about the reputation of our country and not about politics? Why your leader didn’t make you deputy but push you out front to talk nonsense?
yes its time to rock the boat.
wow.
It seem the GOV….. take it upon himself to do an investigation ( C o I ) , no one ask or press him for it. I’ve known in the past you will hear the people or the Opposition CALL for one. Who it was that call for the C o I… on the T P P. ? Who was it that called for the C o I the School Wall. ? Who was it that called for the C o I on plane deal. ? Who was it that called for the Sea Cow’s Bay Landfill. ? There is more I think of.
Why frighten if you don’t get anything ti hide
Ayo wicked b***h
100% agree with the governor
God bless the governor
Andrew Fahie administration going down
AND I AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR. ITS ABOUT TIME. THE LEADERS WE HAVE HAD IN THE RECENT YEARS AND NOW. HAVE NOT CARED ABOUT NOTHING ELSE BUT THEIR POCKETS. AND AS FOR ANDREW. HE CAME INTO POWER WITH A VENGEANCE FOR THE GOVERNOR. THIS IS WHAT HE GETS. JUST BE HUMBLE AND DO YOUR JOB.
Just like how the UK Opposition got the black lady to challenge Boris Johnson on his initial Brexit attempt a born BVIslander needs to come forward and take the Governor to Court with his nonsense COI.
This is the UK acting. This is the UK’s legal right. And moral obligation.
This is not a little vendetta by the Governor.
a born BVIslander in this context is simply another citizen of the United Kingdom and absolutely can challenge decisions and actions if they wish. They’ll struggle to find how setting up a CoI is an offense relevant to court… What emerges from the CoI investigation and how we choose to handle those recommendations is where we should all be placing our effort and attention.
(and for the record I am a BVIslander)