Jaspert should have consulted me about allegations, Premier suggests
Premier Andrew Fahie has suggested that former Governor Augustus Jaspert should have consulted him once he became aware of serious allegations against his government.
Jaspert called a Commission of Inquiry (COI) last year just before leaving office after he said he became aware of serious allegations of corruption within the government.
According to Jaspert, among these allegations were reports of links to organised criminal dealings involving members at the highest levels of government.
But speaking in the House of Assembly recently, Premier Fahie said that a section of the constitution was not followed once the former Governor became aware of those allegations.
He referred to section 60 of the constitution which speaks about the Governor‘s special responsibilities and argued that subsection 5 supports his argument.
This subsection states: “The Premier or other Minister shall provide to the Governor on request all papers and information, including the text of any instrument under negotiation, available to the Premier or other Minister with respect to any activities in pursuance of subsection (4)”.
After quoting that section of the constitution, the Premier went on to interpret the meaning to be, “one of the first options if you hear things that sound out of place as a Governor, is to ask the Premier and the ministers and they must turn over the information to the Governor.”
Premier Fahie continued: “But that wasn’t done, because they thought that what they heard was solid, very solid.”
However, the section quoted by the Premier is prefaced by a clause that suggests that the section Fahie cited refers to the “responsibility for the conduct of external affairs as they relate to any matters that fall under the portfolios of ministers…”
I’m going to fight for my reputation
The Premier, while continuing his argument, insisted that these were some of the things that he needed to fight against in order to maintain a good reputation.
Meanwhile, the Premier again denied allegations that monies were stolen by him or his government from a $40 million grant taken from the Social Security Board (SSB) in 2020 to provide stimulus funding after the onset of COVID-19.
“It’s not going to be those days when I sat down in the early days of my political career and let people destroy my name and character and get away with it, and I there sitting down singing ‘Kumbaya my Lord’, forgetting I had to participate in my purpose,” Premier Fahie argued.
The Premier also made reference to a business loan that he alleged was taken out by the former government but was never repaid until his government entered office.
According to the Premier, this was the kind of information that would never make the COI because “who was carrying the news won’t carry news on themselves”.
However, Premier Fahie is on record as having made requests for a Commission of Inquiry himself after complaining about the former government. He was reportedly denied because the cost would be too prohibitive.
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Didn’t he carry news to Jaspert?
That is what the problem is. This man is SCARY!
This man is out of place the Govenor is under no obligation to consult him especially as it relates to exercising a constitutional right.
We glad he did as our eyes are now wide open.
Whether he carried news to Jaspert or not, the truth is that Jaspert did consult him. It was only 15 minutes before the COI was announced to the Territory, but he was consulted. He wanted advance warning of a few months, but thankfully Gus knew that would have been stupid. So the constitution was followed and he was consulted. Case Closed
We heard about the term Most corrupt Gov, But Who is the most corrupt Premier the BVI has ever seen or had?
He possibly heard that certain members of government let out land to people with lots of big boys toys but no obvious means of obtaining them.
Which couldn’t possibly be true could it.
I thought it was you that consulted with him when you said NDP corruption was worse than your corruption. You told him yourself VIP was corrupt.
You were carrying false news to Jasper on your political opponents to get the upper hand. Jasper was lapping up the false news so that he could report it back and look like he was a shining star. When you got elected and he realize that you are not the person who he thought you were that’s when problems start. All what you saying now about Jaspert you didn’t know when you were busy carrying tales to him? Shut up! We don’t want to hear you.
how could he consult you when you shut him out ?
You, Premier, by your own admission brought this COI on us. Any time you had a chance to speak, you incorporated a slap and punch at the Governor like a juvenile in a temper tantrum and you are still doing it! You are burying us!!! It’s scary to have someone this volatile and emotional at the helm. Get a grip!!
I must be reading incorrectly. SMH, this man ain’t serious.
For you to sweet-talk your way out. Nope Andy.. Nope
Even after the COI asked you questions you stalled and refused to turn over documents.
Gus knew better.
Andrew you have no reputation to fight for. It cannot get any worse. We knew you but those previous governors did not know you were able to sell them pure lies. It serve them governors right though. They like to much gossip.
May TRUTH and JUSTICE prevail and evil be exposed!
Brought up slavery and racism in a coi, next election place your x wisely
Did the speaker interpret the clause
Andrew is getting desperate. Can’t believe he’s blaming the ex Gov for not telling him what was going on while he was getting investigated
Why would he consult you when most the allegations involved you
Too late it is to late.To late shall be ur cry.U ask for it U got it now what?
It is getting so bad you are believing your own lies . You said during the COI. You went once to the Governor so you were the one who consulted him.
You think Bvi people stupid
Only
Those who benifits woukd be afraid to tell the emperor he is naked .. meaning his days as a leader is outnumbered
Andrew you not fit to be a leader or Premier.
LET IT GO!
U.K. should consider sending Gus back next round. He was one of the best governors we have had in a long while.