BVI News

Proper law needed to remove Andrew Fahie’s HOA picture

Opposition Leader, Ronnie Skelton.

Opposition leader Ronnie Skelton has weighed in on the question of removing Andrew Fahie’s picture from the House of Assembly wall, stating that proper legislation would be needed to do this.

“Until there are regulations or legislation that govern what happens to the memorabilia of members when they have been convicted of serious crimes, I don’t think it can be taken down,” Skelton explained at a press conference on March 19.

He added that though the proper policy isn’t in place to facilitate the removal of the now-convicted former Premier, the situation presents a good opportunity for legislators to look into drafting a policy for such cases.

“I think the question you ask warrants us as legislators to start thinking seriously about what happens to the memorabilia of members if they’re convicted of heinous crimes such as putting the country in disrepute,” Skelton added. He also said many may think Fahie’s picture can simply be removed, but said persons should note “that’s not how it works.”

“I think based on what happened (with Andrew Fahie) there needs to be a discussion but you can’t go backwards, you have to go forward,” Skelton said.

Fahie, who was an elected official for more than 20 years, was removed from his position as Premier in 2022 after he was arrested for drug smuggling and money laundering.

The question of removing his picture from the wall of the House of Assembly was raised at a press conference last week, where Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said he isn’t sure of the protocol that would govern such a move.

Premier Wheatley also highlighted the importance of having clear policies, adding that the Commission of Inquiry (COI) noted that the government shouldn’t be taking actions based on isolated events.

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27 Comments

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  1. Hmm says:

    Take ot down and burn ot please/thanks

    Like 14
    Dislike 1
  2. YEAH RITE says:

    we all know they don’t mean that , they just trying to make it look like they really mean it / none of them is comdeming the coach , because they all got something on eachother so the got to hold their ( PIECE ) OR that’s when the real fireworks will start . IF the man on the streets know that / thats why the are like silence of the lambs aka birds of the same feather

    Like 8
    Dislike 1
  3. YEAH RITE says:

    we all know they don’t mean that , they just trying to make it look like they really mean it / none of them is comdeming the coach , because they all got

    something on eachother so the got to hold their ( PIECE ) OR that’s when the real fireworks will start

    . IF the man on the streets know that / thats why the are like silence of the lambs aka birds of the same feather

  4. Low cost solution says:

    Paste his mug shot in front and move on.

  5. Hmm says:

    I don’t think we should erase him like he never happened. He was a legally elected premier. Let his picture stay in place as a reminder of what we don’t want ever again. When we teaching the children about past leaders don’t leave him out or skimp on the details.

    Like 9
    Dislike 8
  6. Hottie says:

    I think that there are more serious and pressing issues for the members of the HoA to solve.

    Like 16
  7. Lol @ this story says:

    it is actually as easy as removing it as there is no law putting it up there in the first place! How the politicians love to play word games!

    Like 25
  8. Obvious says:

    Politicians need to focus with issues that benefit the voters. Fahie is no longer Premier. You can take his picture down. If you want memorabilia, someone can fund a museum. Move on.

    Like 10
  9. Interesting says:

    Skelton, what is the current law or policy for putting up such pictures? Seems like there is no policy or law but rather a norm.

    Like 13
  10. TurtleDove says:

    The crook Nixon picture is still up. Leave Andrew up so YOU ALL/WE will never forget.

    Like 2
    Dislike 2
  11. Anonymous says:

    I wonder if the Florida prison is bad. Most prisons in the USA are filled with gangs and you might have to fight someone inside. I wonder if the coach picked a team inside.

  12. Albion says:

    I never heard such nonsense. You don’t need to pass a law to take a damn picture down off a wall. You just decide to do it like any other adult. There is no law saying it must stay up there, so you don’t need a law to take it down.

    Like 14
  13. @ ANONYMOUS says:

    well he labeled himself the ( BROWN BOMBER ) I hope he got a PUNCH like Mike Tyson, because he’s gonna need it to defend himself from those cannibals that he will be living with / and going down on his knees wood not be a good idea either

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  14. Interested says:

    You all are out of place.The man served his district in the house for many year.His history cannot be erased.Are you also going to remove CBRomney ? Just asking

    Like 3
    Dislike 5
  15. @@ ANONYMOUS says:

    Yeah, and those cracker neanderthals will surely finish him off while on his knees seeking salcation. What ah ting to tell Ning!!

  16. Anonymous says:

    Remove the Greedy Bill now!

  17. Eyesontheprize says:

    I suspect there is no law requiring members pictures be posted in the legislature. It’s probably done by convention and or rules set by the speaker. Therefore what needs to be address is what happens to a member or former member who are arrested and convicted of crimes while serving.

  18. Priorities says:

    Forget about the COI, the gun violence, and the economy; lets debate whether we take a picture down from the wall.

  19. Resident says:

    It should be replaced with the picture of him in the holding tank. It will help current future legislators pass on temptation.

    This has been a shameful episode for the BVI. It has discredited us around the world.

  20. Laws says:

    There is no law or policy stating pictures must be posted. It is just a convention. So no law is required to take it down.

  21. Tricks are for kids says:

    Yall had the chance to remove him from his when he missed sittings but yall wait it out long enough for him to write a retirement letter.

    I not studying ayo. I hope all of you get cooked by the UK. No remorse greedy people

  22. Anonymous says:

    smh…

  23. Special Issue says:

    Can I suggest Fahie’s portrait be removed and transferred to adorn a new special edition BVI postage stamp issued to commemorate white collar crime by elected officials, The stamp could be the first in a series of” Natures Dirty Little Secrets”

  24. What!!! says:

    Total BS there is no law regarding putting the pictures up so why does it require a law to take one down?????!

  25. Sadness says:

    He has not attended meetings. He has been deemed guilty of major crimes. He is not going to attend an future meetings… And you can’t remove him from his HOA post? How $*&ing inept are you? Why is this even a conversation? Stupid #&$t like this is why NONE of the former or current elected “BVI elite” should be positions. Ignorant. Can’t get things done. Done want to get things done. Seriously!?!!? Makes me sick.

  26. Input says:

    Like it or not, this has now become part of our history. To take down a picture doesn’t erase it.

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