Premier apologises for inappropriate language in meeting with legislators
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has apologised to the Speaker and all members of the House of Assembly for language he used during a heated informal meeting, but maintained that he would not apologise for being upset with opposition members.
The apology followed repeated refusals by the Premier to apologise and an intervention by Speaker Corine George-Massicote, who said she could not formally address the matter but believed an apology was necessary.
“I’ll apologise to you and to all the members of the House for the language that I used,” Dr Wheatley stated.
“But I will not apologise for being upset at what I purported that the members were doing, which in my view was unstatesmanlike and unbecoming of a member of this House,” he added.
Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull raised the matter on a point of privilege, citing remarks Dr Wheatley directed at three opposition members during an informal meeting on October 15.
‘Frigging bull crap’
Turnbull said the Premier had used offensive language, including “frigging bull crap”, and accused members of holding up progress and grandstanding. He also said Dr Wheatley had declined an opportunity to apologise privately to the three members.
Dr Wheatley initially argued that the Standing Orders applied to formal parliamentary proceedings and characterised the incident as, at most, a breach of order during an informal meeting.
“I did apologise to you for raising my voice in your presence, but I will not apologise to these members who we often refer to as honourable,” Dr Wheatley told the Speaker during the exchange.
He accused opposition members of seeking to bargain over financial services legislation in exchange for an opportunity to ask questions.
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn disputed that account, saying members were concerned about receiving bills on the same day they were expected to consider them. Opposition Leader Marlon Penn also rejected the suggestion that the opposition was seeking to delay financial services legislation.
The Speaker said the Standing Orders did not ordinarily apply in the same manner outside formal proceedings, while reminding members to treat one another with dignity and respect.
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Let them know wa time it is everyone have to part in it .act on it live to c 46
One thing about Hon. Myron Walwyn, he will always be a standup guy. Love him or hate him, he got that Fire!
huh?
Premier, the kitchen getting too hot for you? Need another party to cool yourself down? How much more funds in the budget for one more bacanal before you go?
That was was not right for him to say that but looking at different parliaments around the world including the UK the BVI is quite tame. Culturally they have maintained a level of civility despite the some disagreements. There will always be a few who do too much sometimes but overall it is commendable.
Master WEATIE , is saying )> ya’al coming eid dah sh*t against me agen , may i remind you sets of wannabe politicians am in charge of running whatever going down around here , in case ya’al forget , and with the exception of the speaker / i ain’t apologizing to none ah u jokers / next time , i will borrow a word csc ( SHEGGEDY ) bull crap to address ya’al . I think ya just envy me.
HE TALKIN ABOUT THIN SKIN WHEN ITS ACTUALLY HIM
This got to be a joke! In other Caribbean countries their government ministers say more colourful words to express their disdain at opps members.
Ayo just need to grow up and get over these playground antics!
I man was NOT apologizing – he coulda said it more direct like and unvarnished….then what?
No respect for the constituents. Not everyone has a limited vocabulary and a touchy temper. How can I respect a man who believes that power is all his?
@Thin Skin, so we must follow everyone else. None better than the other. That’s why most of them have failing countries. Check!
All these honourable gentlemen do not need to follow any dysfunctional protocols of other regions. All these elected officials are intelligent intellectuals. They should be able to exhibit a higher standard of emotional intelligence; and as such, dialogue in an atmosphere of intellectual thoughts and diversity without the buffoonery. This shows that the Premier just can’t take the heat.
Who is the father?
This is some petty Chicken doo doo
I wonder if this educated m**m** realise that he is also disrespecting the people who put those 3 gentlemen in there. I guess he does not.
He’s getting close to snapping out.
Man ahyo too petty, de man is human!!
Man come on, dem ting to simple ,to complain about, de man is human!
Natalio is more and more acting like a Dictator, this dude needs to calm down and try to do better for the people of the BVI, He is pushing the territory to self-determination without speaking to the citizens.
The Word says: “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” The HOA is filled with young people who are chanting the phrase “It is their turn.” Well, I adomonish them all, that the young generation who also is deserving of “their turn” are watching and we have always been a people who were proud, professional and filled with decorum when representing our people. We all know and can see that no one takes sage advice anymore, so quoting the Word of God is my best way of saying to this young Premier, that, you sir, have a duty to the people of these beautiful Virgin Islands. We expect the very best that you and your cabinet has to give and pray that you think before you speak; listen before you act and ask God for guidance. For many things are temporary in this life, including the way of life and prosperity of you and the other citizens of this country when you take the highest law-making body in the land and turns it into a circus filled with mediocrity.
But I hope Sowande knows that he cannot trust Turnbull or Turnbulls they are hot headed and seeking privilege treatment..It was a private closed door meeting, where everyone can speak their minds freely, vent if they have to. So why did Mitch had to bring what happened behind closed doors in private to the public…Small boy thing.
That’s what I woulda told ‘em! Seems the ole boys in the opps side can’t take the heat
GYMS!
BOTH OF YOU MESSAGES ARE IMPRESSIVE AND WELL PUT , MY RESPECT TO BOTH OF YOU . ITS NICE WHEN YOU CAN READ A BLOGG AND BE ENLIGHTENED BY THE WISDOM OF THE WRITER ( IN THIS CASE ~ WRITERS ) / HOPEFULLY KING ” NAUGHT-ALEO ” CAN READ THOSE TWO BLOOGS AND ANALYZE THEM POSITIVELY , AND LEARN FROM THEM, OR GET AQUAINTED BWITH * R E A L I T Y * .