If we’re facing Breach of Trust, others should too — Vanterpool
Yet another lawmaker has expressed concern over the recent spate of arrests of public officials for allegedly breaking rules as they executed their duties in office.
Previously, both Public Works Minister Kye Rymer and Health Minister Marlon Penn both shared concerns about these arrests for the criminal offence of Breach of Trust and noted the need for clearer standard operating procedures for public servants as they carry out their day-to-day activities.
Those concerns have come in the wake of charges of Breach of Trust against former Education Minister Myron Walwyn; his former Permanent Secretary Lorna Stevens; former BVI former Postmaster General Pascha Stoutt; and former Director of the International Affairs Secretariat Najan Christopher.
Now, Fourth District Representative Mark Vanterpool has frowned upon the appearance of hypocrisy with the BVI’s administering power in the United Kingdom (UK), highlighting that local officials are being charged even as UK officials appear to have escaped unscathed from their own apparent breaches.
“I hear a lot of breach of trust things happening around the days today — people being charged for Breach of Trust. But I wonder how many people in United Kingdom going to be charged for Breach of Trust after the [Liz] Truss administration, and after the other administration,” Vanterpool said recently.
“You know how much money the United Kingdom lost in a short while? You know where the pound went? You know where the inflation issue went because of certain administration, leaderships?” Vanterpool asked.
The government legislator expressed confusion and said he didn’t understand how persons in the Virgin Islands must be “thrown in jail [for] Breach of Trust”.
“I don’t quite understand the Breach of Trust story up to now. Somebody explain to me,” Vanterpool stated. “But if it is what it is that we’re here under Breach of Trust, I hope other people can be under Breach of Trust.”
Vanterpool is not the first or the only one to suggest hypocrisy in the wake of those charges. Some sections of the public have expressed that Christopher’s arrest, in particular, was unfair; especially since Police Commissioner Mark Collins faced no consequences for his alleged role in a viral video that portrayed the BVI as a crime-infested jurisdiction.
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It’s just racism bottom line
Mark is saying what we all know
They are using the legal system because they can’t use whips anymore. Myron for example was an outspoken, intelligent representative who they couldn’t turn around how they wanted. The DPP cannot say what specific sections of the law and protocols were breached with him after all these years tells me a lot. They don’t want Myron to run because they want the stooges who they turn about as they wish. I hope he still runs because he has not be convicted of anything. More than ever we need leaders like Myron. I don’t care what they say. How they try to paint him. I know Myron. Nobody from the UK will come and try to tell me about somebody who I grew up with. I hope he runs and if he does he had my vote and the vote of many others. He was one of the best we had.
I wish I could press the like button 1000 times on your post.
“the need for clearer standard operating procedures for public servants” Answer: Don’t steal, cheat, or be dishonest.
“UK officials appear to have escaped unscathed from their own apparent breaches” Answer: Bring what UK officials have done to the public’s & Downing Street attention. Hold your own hearings on their breaches.
“how persons in the Virgin Islands must be “thrown in jail [for] Breach of Trust”. Answer: Seriously? You want a pat on your back? Any regular folk would be thrown in jail for years without a hearing.
This place can’t fix until we admit to ourselves that we have a problem and genuinely wants to fix it. I don’t want UK to take over, but they need to help us clean up the *hit.
The slavery mill is grinning slow but grinning still.
“Previously, both Public Works Minister Kye Rymer and Health Minister Marlon Penn both shared concerns about these arrests for the criminal offence of Breach of Trust and noted the need for clearer standard operating procedures for public servants as they carry out their day-to-day activities.”
As Ministers it is their responsibility to make sure there are clear operating procedures. Instead of going to Vegas spend the time in your Ministry office and make sure this happens, as well as making sure services are rendered. That road cutting isn’t done on a regular basis is the Minister’s fault. Get back to work in your ministry and concentrate on improving our quality of life!!
These comments are just infantile bluster. Under the current constitutional settlement it’s not up to the BVI to monitor the UK Government. Read the 2007 Constitution. Comments like this add nothing useful.
If the BVI wants to go independent it can. I just think most BVI Islanders and Resident have more sense and will want to hang on as long as they can.
Sad….so he prefers to let crooked politicans rob us blind, covering it all up by screaming that the price of oil is up in the UK????
All of this bull $hit talk about what’s going on in the UK is none of our business they don’t have to answer to us but we have to answer to them. These government’s have been getting with so much corruption for the pass 30 years or more they just can’t stand the fact that it has been brought out in the open, the UK is not to be blamed for this is our own greedy people and don’t forget who called for the COI. Mark I thought better of you than to make a statement like this.
I hear a lot of breach of trust things happening around the days today — people being charged for Breach of Trust. But I wonder how many people in United Kingdom going to be charged for Breach of Trust after the [Liz] Truss administration, and after the other administration,” Vanterpool said recently. The UK don’t answer to you or anyone in Government. I wish the UK will just take us over and put an end to all this BULL $HIT.
Mark you expressed confusion and said you didn’t understand how persons in the Virgin Islands must be “thrown in jail [for] Breach of Trust”. the reason why you are confused is because you all have been getting away it for to long.
Criminal Breach of Trust is the intentional or negligent, self-serving, erroneous or retaliatory conduct committed by any person involved in the service of a public or private enterprise.
This man’s ability to govern and rationale is fading like his hair line. He needs to go into a quick retirement before ppl start looking into his dealings.
Perhaps we should shoot straight to the heart of the matter, corruption. The UK does indeed make many mistakes many of which are actually stupid mistakes, but, they are honest mistakes.
The BVI cannot claim that, and, the COI spelt that out very accurately, which, is underpinned by the fact that numerous senior individuals are arrested, in jail, and / or suspended from duty. As for all the commenters, you are either part of the answer, or, part of the problem.
Have you notice some yell slavery whenever you speak out on our leaders greediness. Some never say, you know what, our leaders really screwed us over for MONEY! The real oppressors are the ones who sold this country out for MONEY! Leaders are suppose to be servants! They think they are Royals.
None of us knows how slavery truly was. Only what we have read in books and seen in movies and it was much worse than that, but we were born free. Thank the Almighty God we were born into this generation and we can leave this country better than what we found it for our children. Fix the problems Ministers or GET OUT and let some one else try.
This lets you know who you have been voting in all these years
I agree that is why I voting for Julian Willock
Until a few years ago the governor in the USVI was screaming the same s**t and claiming the US government was acting like a white overseer, all the time holding his hand out for $millions in aid whenever a hurricane hit. the US government finally sent down the DEA (drug enforcement agency) to clean it up. Guess what? shootings stopped, the government was cleaned up, and tourism soared. the current governor Bryant is doing a fantastic job. And he doesn’t scream about whitey.
And what happened to all the money for the East End sewer project ? You simple diverted it to Pier Park after allegedly taking your cut. Getting nervous Mark?
This the same one wha over-run 40 mil on building pier park and even then all the buildings were not built they cover the piles so y’all can forget the project wasn’t even fully completed… Is man like them wha have to most to say against the UK cause they don’t want nobody have the power to make them do better… let the government continue bad spending public funds without any consequence because that’s what freedom is right!? Foh!
The hypocrisy is that the Honourable Member for the 4th District sounds like he would choose to condone our government officials and employees “breaking rules as they executed their duties in office” and that “breach of trust” is okay by him.
Thank goodness we had the Commission of Inquiry when we did!
Mark is right they setting us up
Corruption was proved!!! So let’s just correct the abuse of power
You’re right. It is racism.
And Mark needs to stop doing it.
1000 like buttons? Who do you think you are,
Wig?
@head coach we setting up our own selves with our greed and wickedness toward each other in this country. Shame on Mark for trying to blame the UK! Instead, Mark should be calling out all the dirty-handed civil servants whose hands are dirty with all kinds of corruption.!
Mark, I am really disappointed in you as a leader.
Only People without an understanding of their job description would have an issue. We have a history of working based on who you know or blow. Now they lost
Mark, How did you ever get to be a Minister if you need this explaining to you.
You could tell you didn’t read the report or you are a UK operative pushing a story for the UK’s benefit. Where is the proof? Point it out for me. I’m not referring to suggestions of corruption either. Point to tangible proof. Also, why pass a law to protect yourself from law suits if you were certain that what is written is the truth?
Clean up your own back yard Mark Vanterpool. The prison full of young man and women on remand for simple offenses. Why none of these elected officials and high rankin gov employees not remanded pending trial also? The double standard and cronyism is appalling dam it.
Hear who talking. The person who breached the trust his voters placed in him when he abandoned them.
Should be the last person to talk.
Well said
Y’all know he has a Spanish bar in theiddle of town full of dodgy ladies ..no?wow denial is real
If there is a God in Heaven, he or she will spare us paying any future government salary to the esteemed one.