BVI News

Past and present HOA members to appear before COI next week

A number of past and present members of the House of Assembly (HOA) have been summoned to appear before the Commission of Inquiry (COI) and are scheduled to give evidence throughout next week, starting Monday, June 14.

Those who have been summoned include the immediate past and present speakers of the House, Ingrid Moses Scatliffe and Julian Willock as well as the former and sitting Labour ministers, Dr Kedrick Pickering and Vincent Wheatley.

The past and present Education ministers Myron Walwyn and Dr Natalio Wheatley, the former and incumbent Health ministers Ronnie Skelton and Carvin Malone, as well as past and present junior ministers for Trade and Tourism are all scheduled to appear. 

Premiers to appear

Premier Andrew Fahie as well as his immediate predecessor Dr D Orlando Smith were also summoned to give evidence to the COI next week.

In the meantime, hearings will kick off with all sitting members of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and two others.

COI Secretary Steven Chandler said these upcoming hearings are particularly about the past and present HOA members’ “held and declared interests”. 

“A number of issues have been raised by those representing participants in the COI which require resolution before the witness evidence can proceed, and in particular before the final order of witnesses can be determined,” Chandler said in press release on Thursday.

“The Commissioner will therefore hold a Directions hearing on Monday 14 June at 9 am to determine these issues. It is expected that witness evidence will commence at 10 am that day. The Commissioner intends that all the matters canvassed at the hearing will be live-streamed on the COI’s YouTube channel so that the BVI public can continue to follow the work of the COI,” he added.

The schedule of COI hearings with past and present legislators.

The Commission of Inquiry (“the COI”) was issued on 19 January 2021 to look into whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty may have taken place amongst public, elected and statutory officials in recent years; and to make appropriate recommendations as to governance and the operation of the law enforcement and justice systems in the BVI. The Rt Hon Sir Gary Hickinbottom is the sole Commissioner.

Follow BVI New’s coverage of the 2021 Commission of Inquiry on Instagram @BVINewsOnline #TrackingTransparency at www.bvinews.com.

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34 Comments

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  1. Liking this.. says:

    Let all answer for their Sins…NDP was a Calosso failure after the hurricanes, the Premier and labour monister were MIA when needed most..We all know what we have now is a one man gang, The ministers are just Title with salaries, cant make any decisions…Time for Britain to take over

    Like 33
    Dislike 7
  2. former first lady says:

    needs to testify

    Like 25
    • Andddddd says:

      The Premier wife should be made to testify also. THIS NONSENSE ABOUT FIRST LADIES IN THE BVI IS A JOKE. NONE OF THEM HAVE A PLATFORM. THEY SIT BACK QUIETLY AND REAP THE PERKS ONLY.

      Like 29
      Dislike 2
      • @Andddddddd says:

        I am in agreement about the FIRST LADY IN THE BVI IS A JOKE. A FIRST LADY HAVE TO PUT IN WORK AS WELL. THERE ARE SO MANY CAUSES IN THE BVI THAT A FIRST LADY SHOULD HAVE A PLATFORM. WE HAVE A SERIOUS MENTAL ISSUE PROBLEM, WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, WHY NOT BUILD A PLATFORM AND SPEAK OUT AND HELP COME UP WITH A SOLUTION?

        Like 11
        Dislike 1
        • Research says:

          You are so misinformed. Former 1st lady Rev. Edris O’Neal was a founding member and President of the BVI Red cross up until her ripe age. She did this along side her duties as a Rev. Of the BVI Methodist Church. She was active in other areas as well. Do not talk what you dint know.

  3. Quietly Watching says:

    It’s popcorn time. Get them ready.

    Like 19
    Dislike 2
  4. GOODY GUM DROPS says:

    This is going to be very interesting BUT I’M LOVING IT. I KNOW TWO PEOPLE ON THE LIST STOMACHS IS BUBBLING.

    Like 27
    Dislike 1
    • The heat is on says:

      THE S**T is about to hit the fan. They are going to be tossing each other left and right under the moving train. I am watching live so I can see them squirming in their seats.

      Like 13
    • @GOODY GUM DROPS says:

      YASSSSSS, Lots of stomachs is in knots and BUBBLING. No amount of BUSH TEAS is going to calm the knots and BUBBLING. I know 4 from the list. The best part for me is seeing them under pressure. We are under pressure every day. BUNCH OF OPPORTUNIST AND SCOUNDRELS.

  5. Monday says:

    Busy day to ‘interview’ 11 politicians from 10am to 3-4pm in one day. The Commissioner may have to shorten his lunch hour or extend the session into the evening!

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
    • Welllllll says:

      IF THEY HAVE TO SIT FROM 8AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT TO BE INTERVIEWED, THEN SO BE IT. FEED THEM PIZZA AND BOTTLE WATER LIKE THEY DID WHEN THE VISITORS WERE STUCK IN CUSTOMS FOR OVER 5 HOURS. IF WATER AND PIZZA WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE VISITORS, THEN WATER AND PIZZA IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM AS WELL.

      Like 22
      Dislike 1
    • Rubber Duck says:

      They will just be asking them if they accurately declared their interests. If they say no, big trouble. If they say yes and the COI finds evidence they didn’t , bigger trouble.

      Let the game begin.

  6. Confused says:

    Monday 10.00 – 11.00 AM 6 people, they are barely going to be called by name?

  7. Pandora's Box says:

    How is it the other NDP getting away? Minister of Communications and Works from NDP days is a MUST!!

    Neither VIP or NDP should be treated any different. They’ve all robbed the people’s purse for their own interests.

    The COI needs to go back as far as necessary.

    Like 12
    Dislike 1
    • @pandora says:

      The Former Minister is listed for today. His appearance may not be in the format you would have hoped to see it, but nevertheless he is there.

  8. A BIG….. says:

    IT IS GOING TO BE A PLEASURE TO SEE THEM ALL SITTING IN THE HOT SEAT UNDER PRESSURE. CROW STEW AND HUMBLE PIE FOR ALL OF THEM. LOOK AT ALL THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE BVI BY A GANG OF GREEDY UNDERCOVER CROOKS IN SUITS AND HIGH HEELS.ENJOY THE STEW CROW AND HUMBLE PIE SUCKERS!!!!.

    Like 13
    Dislike 1
  9. BVI Future says:

    This is the best comedy show for the year 2021 so far- not much can beat what is happening in the BVI Government! This is a circus show unfortunately, we do not know who the ring master is. Can we still watch the COI hearing on YouTube?

    Like 11
  10. Wonder says:

    They are all going to turn on each other. LMAO, he SAID, she SAID, I DON’T RECALL. LMAO. BEING IN THE HOT SEAT IS NO JOKE. Hope the room has AC because they all will be sweating bullets. What a man or woman sow he/she shall reap. They all deserve what they are getting.

    Like 17
  11. Excellent! says:

    Grill them all!

    Like 13
  12. Missing says:

    Them missing somebody else from NDP. What happen there ?

  13. ??? says:

    Some of the main culprits should have been interviewed by themselves. One of them whose name begins with M, is being interviewed with a group of 6 in a one hour time slot. Not good enough. The schedule is being sent around via WhatsApp. Check it out. C’mon COi, I hope there will be follow up interviews. These criminals should be held accountable for our taxpayer money.

    Like 12
  14. All Needs says:

    To be wearing firemen boots. Lots of feet held to the fire next week

  15. Hot Seat says:

    Friday 18th at 1pm a notable date on the calendar to hear the whole truth and nothing but the truth

  16. Loving this says:

    I LIKE HOW THEY PUT THE THREE LADIES TOGETHER FOR THE 11AM. I SAID THIS FOR A GOOD REASON. I WILL KEEP MY THOUGHTS TO MYSELF AND SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT. GOOD LUCK LADIES.

  17. Crab in mentality barrel says:

    If ayo had love for each other the white man ayo hate so much would not have been grueling the lot of you
    Who to blame
    Greed and Power Crab in mentality barrel got all of you there

  18. Self Determined says:

    Reading these comments I can only shake my head because you the commenters are worst that the elected officials you all condemning. You all want UK take over! Will it affect the officials alone? NO!! It will affect us all. The massa will control you all like you’re in slavery. Keep asking for UK take over! You all just sickening!!!!

    Like 3
    Dislike 9
  19. @self Determined says:

    KINDLY SHUT UP CROONY. WE WANT THE UK TO TAKE OVER FOR THE NEXT 2 YEARS TO GET THIS PLACE IN ORDER. THE ISLAND IS FALLING APART BECAUSE OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS QUEST FOR POWER AND POWER ONLY. PLEASE MARINATE ON THAT. IF NHI IS GOOD FOR US, NHI IS GOOD FOR THEM. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT THE GREEDY BILL.

    Like 3
    Dislike 2
    • Ha says:

      Speak for yourself! It will not be pretty if the british come in to run things. Pls be careful what you ask for. Have we not learnt from history that these people will never let a black nation prosper?

      Like 1
      Dislike 2
  20. I SAID IT says:

    LET THEM SQUIRM IN THE HOT SEAT. WE THE PEOPLE HAVE TO SIT IN THE HOT SEAT EVERYDAY.

  21. Fools says:

    It has nothing to do with the UK taking over. It has to do with ridding the BVI of corruption and then having good governance in place. Of course, all countries have corruption, but in the BVI it is too widespread. Then in case of emergencies, the BVI leaders cry and run with their hands open. (Just image if the UK were not there to send the vaccine to the BVI! Just imagine if our Health Minister had to get the vaccine from another country!) We do not have a public high school, but politicians are passing laws to legalized marijuana and gambling. The United Nations is studying the economy of the BVI to inquire whether the BVI is capable of independence. It will cost the UK more to govern the BVI but in the meanwhile the UK must protect its’ interest.

  22. WOW says:

    BVI full of hypocrites. you bloggers could not wait to jump on the reps. some of you hardly finish chewing the meal you git from them.

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