BVI News

Local lawyer contracted for review of ministerial and Cabinet powers

The Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex where the main government offices are located.

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said a local lawyer has been contracted to conduct a review of the discretionary powers of the Cabinet and ministerial government.

This was one of the recommendations outlined in the government’s framework for implementing the agreed Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations and other reforms.

The start date for the process, according to the framework document was July 1 and it is expected to be completed on October 31, 2022. After the report is submitted to the Governor and the Premier, the House of Assembly is expected to legislate changes in accordance with the review’s recommendation. That deadline is December 31, 2022.

Dr Wheatley said in the House of Assembly yesterday: “I am pleased to announce that a local lawyer was contracted to conduct this review. The Premier’s office has already gathered documents to help the reviewer with this process”.

The name of the lawyer was not disclosed during the HOA sitting.

Meanwhile, the Premier also gave an update on the review of all areas of government by the Auditor General. He noted that work is ongoing based on the Auditor General’s timetable which was submitted on May 26, 2022.

“Also pursuant to recommendation A4 [of the agreed framework], amendments of the Audit Act 2003 and Public Service Code and Public Service Commission Regulations as required by the House of Assembly and Governor consisted with recommendations B16 and B17, respectively to make it a criminal offence for a person to fail to cooperate with the office pf the auditor general or internal audit department. Cabinet on the sixth of July 2022 considered and approved the relevant amendments so they can be taken forward as appropriate. We are confident the July 31 deadline can be met,” Dr Wheatley said.

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15 Comments

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  1. ROI 2022 says:

    is much more important than all the review items included in this news article. HOA is wasting valuable time complaining about irrelevant issues this month. Keep up this charade and direct UK rule will commence forthwith.

    Like 12
  2. Transparency says:

    Why not name the lawyer, was the contract put out to tender, for how much , shouldn’t the government have suggested a body independent of government be responsible for sourcing the opinion?

    Like 29
    Dislike 1
  3. Tasty says:

    Silk legal?

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  4. What!!!’ says:

    We who are paying for this law firm should know their name and tha amount being paid to them.
    Same old sh** I have no trust in these ministers .

    Like 23
    Dislike 1
  5. Cover of darkness says:

    What’s the big secret while spending our money?

    Like 14
  6. Wash says:

    Stop with the fibbing aka BS.
    An important announcement and no identity of the recipient of this public expense???
    Unless,but unlikely pro bono??

    Like 12
    Dislike 1
  7. Shine light says:

    Same old, same old. No transparency. Who is the lawyer? How much is he or she being paid? Was this put out to some sort of secret tender?

  8. BVIslander says:

    The public wants to know, who is the lawyer? What was the selection process? And how much are they being paid?

    I fully expected that this govt led by Dr. Wheatley would do as they said they would, but, it seems as if these guys have no intention of changing anything. They obviously have no intention of declaring their interests which was made abundantly clear in the last HOA.

    This is so sad to watch people I believe the new premier wants to do what is right but he seems to not be a strong leader and is being mislead.
    UK, Governor, when do you step in and take over?

  9. Better not be says:

    The yt Screaming Banshee

  10. Anonymous says:

    Already stepped in and already taken over..

  11. XpreSSurSelfso says:

    Already came in and already took..we are still too blind to see?

  12. BuzzBvi says:

    Must be Dan. Oh dear.

  13. Well Well says:

    NO not them. Silk is the lawyer for the last speaker.

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