Pruce: I have full confidence in the DPP
Governor Daniel Pruce has expressed full confidence in the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Tiffany Scatliffe-Esprit, declining to criticise the office despite questions about recent high-profile cases that have been lost.
Speaking at his first press conference for 2026 at Government House, Pruce addressed concerns raised by media representatives about the DPP’s performance and recent case outcomes.
When asked whether he was concerned about what was described as a rate of lost cases and the potential reputational impact on the United Kingdom and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Pruce said he would not engage in that line of commentary.
“I work closely with the DPP. I have every confidence in the work that she’s doing,” Pruce stated.
He added that he would not assess the DPP’s performance using the metrics suggested by the report.
The Governor also stressed that it would be inappropriate to comment on specific cases, particularly where matters may still be under consideration. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment on particular cases which are perhaps still under consideration,” Pruce said.
The remarks came during a broader briefing focused primarily on security matters, including updates on the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, prison reform, and implementation of Commission of Inquiry recommendations.
Late last year, Bishop John Cline accused the DPP of wasting public money on failed cases and appeals, calling for an end to what he described as “witch hunt” prosecutions that keep people off the job for years.
Scatliffe-Esprit has complained for years about the underfunding of the DDP’s Office, flagging delays in recruitment and salary constraints as key factors contributing to staff shortages in her office. She previously noted that under-resourcing her department impacts global financial compliance efforts, including combating money laundering and other crimes.
During the briefing, Pruce highlighted additional funding for law enforcement agencies in the 2026 budget, including just over $800,000 allocated to the Office of the DPP. He described the 2026 security budget as one of the most generous in many years and said it would help address what he called an “historic period of underfunding” across key agencies.
The Governor reiterated his commitment to strengthening the overall justice and security framework, including improvements in investigative practice and case management within law enforcement bodies. He said the collective goal across agencies is to achieve “stronger investigations,” “higher quality case management,” and “improved support for victims.”
Copyright 2026 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
I can’t see how you could have full confidence in someone who loses case after case. Who bring cases without evidence unless you are the one pulling the strings behind the scene to make her bring those cases.
I do not know a single person in the BVI other than the Governor that has any confidence in the DPP.
The Governor no doubt has confidence that the DPP will do everything that the UK Goovernment tells her to do – but the DPP is so hopeless that she cannot actually deliver unless the UK Government wants failing prosecutions.
oh dear, oh dear, oh dear – how could the Governor have any confidence in the DPP?
No surprise here of course, she is his puppet he is on a witch hunt free Myron Wade and najan who have all won their cases
He knows why . Guess what? God also does!
And then we wonder why our civil service is the way that it is. Every single person in the public could see that the DPP is doing a horrible job and quite frankly it appears as if she is abusing her authority by bringing cases she should know would not succeed. Yet here you are as governor stating you have full confidence in her. Mr. Governor, I am not in favour of independence now but if this is what you have to offer us then let us do badly all by ourselves. We don’t need your help to do that. You probably have the DPP doing all the foolishness she is doing so maybe that is why you have to back her up now.
The best thing the governor could do now is catch a flight and leave our country. It is evident that you are of no help to us. How could you say something like this when the results show different? Do you think that these are the days when we were uneducated and couldn’t make proper assessments for ourselves? You cannot be serious!
This man is the best ..
he say the same about the COP Vanterpool and then throw her under the bus ,,,as long as he is using the DPP, he will have confidence on her,, anytime she goes against whatever he says , shit will hit the fan .. believe you me ..
Well there goes the baby with the bath water
The moment he comes out and says he don’t have no confidence in the DPP, I am sure y’all will have a whole march again about him taking out a BVIslander!.
this dude is clueless
That’s because her husband is white
That is sad on so many cultural and racial leevels.
When she loses, it is likely lawsuits will follow. The people will pay for it, because those UK loans will remain continuous. Whose agenda is she really serving? As you were…!
The DPP is not the problem it’s the useless magistrates here and the corrupt judges that are the problem. Cases presented are strong and well evidenced!!!!!
Bring a lawyer in from the U.K., they’ll sort it