BVI News

Reward for whistleblowers? Cabinet moving swiftly to implement Bill

Amid the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (COI) and mounting calls for good governance in the territory, Cabinet is moving swiftly to implement the much-anticipated Whistleblower Act.

When the Cabinet met on February 3, it reviewed the Bill entitled, Whistleblower Act, 2021 which seeks to allow individuals to disclose information about the corrupt practices of others once it is in the public’s interest.

The law would also provide for protection against the victimisation of persons who make these disclosures and to provide for a fund to reward individuals who make the disclosures.

However, the Bill has not yet been approved by Cabinet.

At this stage, it has been sent back to the Premier’s Office that will then instruct the Attorney General’s Chambers to finalise the legislation.

Once the Attorney General finalises the Bill, it will be resubmitted to Cabinet for approval before being introduced in the House of Assembly.

The Whistleblower Act has been promised for a long while and is expected to hold leaders in the highest public offices accountable.

The Bill comes amid numerous political scandals regarding the misuse of public funds and a COI which is currently seeking to investigate instances of abuse and misconduct in local politics.

The Fahie administration — which is pushing the Act — has also been accused of victimising public officers and other members of the public who speak against the government.

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23 Comments

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  1. Yes says:

    This needs to happen

    Like 15
    Dislike 2
    • Norman says:

      Please publish the details of who to call and how much money we will receive. First come first serve? They gots to hire a 100 customer service peaple to answer the phones when dis ting go live.They goontobe lots of new private jets at the airport. Its a new dawn.It will b the greatest redistribution of wealth in our history…

      Like 1
      Dislike 1
  2. Waste says:

    What a waste. This will only be used as an easy method to hunt down people who complain. It’s like crying wolf but only to the wolf. If the corruption goes to the very top which it indeed does then who are you going to complain to. This is why there is a provision for a COI. They ARE the whistleblower act.

    Like 22
    Dislike 5
    • @Waste says:

      Well then I hope the COI will additionally investigate the former police chief because he was also the very ‘top official’ of the corrupt police force?

      Like 3
      Dislike 10
  3. itstime says:

    TO LATE MY GOVERNMENT

    Like 7
    Dislike 2
  4. Please! says:

    Who do we report our complains too? Not the police officers for sure, our names would be on the streets in minutes. Plus, the police officers are often the perpetrators.

    Like 10
  5. Careful What You Wish For says:

    What is the extent of this? Will it be used to protect people “whistleblowing” when they see someone without a mask?

    When will these draconian, totalitarian ideas be put to bed? We don’t need the state dictating how we live our lives.

    Like 1
    Dislike 4
  6. No biggy says:

    We have whistleblowing in place since before the birds left the sanctuary. How you think the UK get things to write about us for this COI? We blew our own whistle even with things we didn’t know. We talk what we know and what we don’t know.

    Freedom of information – Where else information is more free than in the BVI? Every single scandal with a paper trail does get leak in the BVI. Think about it – bi-water, the Chinese coming to build airport, the letter saying our budget had to go to the UK…you name it.

    No big difference will be made here

    Like 2
    Dislike 2
  7. Probity says:

    Trade licence and work permits required for all Whistleblowers Application fee of $5000.00 to be donated amongst the Cabinet for good causes.
    Whistleblowers working illegally will be deported by the Department of Transparency

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
  8. KLM says:

    How is it the V*** will not publish any blog if it makes the government look bad? Maybe because of who owns ***.

    Like 7
    Dislike 2
  9. WEW says:

    So their going to pay you to admit you’re a whistleblower. After you get your check better cash it fast because your a dead man walking.

  10. @@it time says:

    Exactly well said …better not thete wouldn’t be able to scream…siren……stay out the way

  11. God dam says:

    A ducking whistleblowers ..the worst thing against the principle of god …filthy RATs. worst than the one that sold his shepherd christ. Get rid of them ..there worst than the enemy it self there that cures that follow the dream of unity and strength..f**king…

  12. White folks and cindy says:

    De aiet see big one going with out any questions ask ..de only a flea on a dog

  13. Check it out says:

    Judge Hickenbottom, don’t forget to check the last festival and fairs committee report. You will find a lot of interesting things in there.
    Signed: one who knows you will find things

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  14. Mixed says:

    This is undoubtedly a positive development in the BVI, putting us again ahead of the UK’s own regime and embarrassing to the EU and U.K. FCDO to hear about the plight of Jonathan Taylor, Interpol’s failings, and abandonment and the corruption it seems to take to achieve the abandonment by the Dutch, Monaco authorities, the ineffectual court system in Croatia, another EU country.

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