See who will pay for COI and government-retained law firm
The cost of the upcoming Commission of Inquiry (COI) will be covered by the United Kingdom government.
According to the BVI’s Commission of Inquiry Act, payment for the COI may be drawn from the territory’s treasury.
But the Governor’s Office informed our news centre that the Commissioner and his secretary will not be paid by BVI taxpayers.
“The UK government will fund the cost. They are doing so because of the UK’s responsibilities to support the OTs and good governance. The cost of the COI depends entirely on the length of it so we cannot give a cost yet,” a response from the Governor’s Office said.
Who’s paying for government’s COI lawyers?
In the meantime, Premier Andrew Fahie has indicated that the BVI government will be paying for the services of the law firm Withers and its leading counsel, Sir Geoffrey Cox. He has been retained to represent the current government members in the upcoming COI.
“The BVI government welcomes a transparent Commission of Inquiry, and as a result, the government is paying for the legal services geared at protecting the present and future generations of the BVI while ensuring that the process is transparent,” Premier Fahie told BVI News.
Premier Fahie also reiterated the point of view of Health Minister Carvin Malone who said the upcoming COI is as an attack on the current BVI administration.
“An attack has been launched against the BVI and we have to protect our name and reputation locally and abroad,” the Premier stated.
He continued: “Coming out of this transparent process, the BVI will be stronger than ever. Shortly, a full address will be made to further state clearly our support as a government for the transparent COI with clear and specific terms of reference as stated by the Commission of Inquiry Act and the details of the legal service.”
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This is colonialism all over again.
You can thank the opposition for it. That what he like. His private visits to government house to whine will now cost your future.
No and No again. The BVI Government should NOT have to pay Mr Cox for VIP defense. This should be THEIR cost.
The Attorney General needs to provide some clarity on this.
Will other people have this same privilege? If not then MR Cox’s fees should not be paid by the public purse.
So how will this Witch-hunt to be paid for? You all would be wise to leave our VIP elected officials alone. Let’s start investigating the UK corruption, in which there’s plenty. You all are just a bunch of racist sick people. All the evils that you have wished for us, will be placed onto you. Anyway, soon enough you all will be leaving our shores and blogging from where you came from.
If UK corruption is your focus then pursue it with all your heart.
We BVIslanders are concerned about local government corruption. If there is none then VIP does not need a million dollar lawyer. And the public should not have to pay for their sins.
The Commissioner should take note of this abuse of public funds. It should be added to his investigation.
Not our future, your future in our country. You all don’t control us, that’s Jesus’s job.
To youth I am a 50 year old female black BVIlander so hear my take on this. I hope that our youth can realize that oppressors do not have to be white and foreign, and that truth and justice are not simply based on skin colour or national origin, this is not a black and white issue, it is about right and wrong.
For so long as Africans we have been oppressed by whites that many of us seem not to be able to recognize possible oppression by our own people. @YOUTH Nobody is saying that the BVI should be ruled by white Brits, but BVI should be governed by honest, competent leaders that ensure that we institute fair and progressive policies so that our future generations are not destined to be beggars in their own country. The elected government has hired I’m sure the best lawyer that our tax money can buy(to defend themselves against private allegations), so please support the COI because we need to know the truth and get rid of any dishonest leaders from both NDP and VIP. Our country and you the youth deserve better than what we have gotten from both political parties.
It saddens me that some of our youth cannot recognize this simple reality. My advise to you is to please study how other countries in the region ended up in a cesspool of poverty and crime and you will see where we are headed if we don’t clean up this place once and for all
You are not a Black BVIslander you are a BVIslander
stop labeling yourself. I will also suggest that we
that we are not Africans.
You are right, you neither African or historically literate. You causing shame on the rest of us to think some Black still think that way. I am assuming you are BVIslander.
The only people who can be called Africans are those who were born on the continent of Africa How many BVIslanders do you know who were born in Africa.
Yes I am a BVIslander and I do not consider myself African and yes I am black and do not refer to myself as a BLACK BVISLANDER.
Very powerful speech! Couldn’t agree more.
we have an Attorney General on pay role, why do we need Cox?……. The COI is NOT a trial. Since when do you need and attorney for an investigation. If AFTER the COI charges are lodged with the courts THEN the defendants pay for themselves!!!
@50 year old black BVI female
Because of your upbringing and your experiences, unfortunately you can only see this COI one way and one way alone. The truth is hard to swallow but you have been brainwashed and eventhough I can show you points against what you believe in, the brainwashing is so ‘good’ that you can’t come away from your convictions: black is bad, white is good. But I still will try and hope you and others with your same sate of mind may have an Ahhh Ha moment.
Because the COI will expose NDP, the VIP people are happy, because the COI will expose the VIP, the NDP people are happy. Because the COI will expose all the Ps the people who want cleaner politics will be happy. But there is a very small group of us who wont be happy.
That small group can see England playing us against each other. That small group can see that England could have ensured that good governance laws exist from our very first constitution in the 40s? til now, that our education system is advanced (and not pump the money into the prison system instead). There are things the UK could have done and still can do as the mother country. But instead of prepare us for a better tomorrow, she rather pick at any fault or perceived fault and so she can come in as the saviour. But you all cant see that its a setup.
But how far is this COI going to go back? Back to Bates Hill? Back to slavery? And to those of you that have an issue with that question. Those are the ones that have the brainwashing I mentioned before. England wants to play a ‘holier than thou’ roll but until it makes reparations for things like colonialism, Bates Hill and slavery the UK does not have the moral high ground to stand on. The Uk should not be labelling us as corrupt because they envy the size of our houses. Until it admits that it plays a major role in the global drug trade and money laundering it will continue to make it seem like these two little rocks in the ocean are the major cause of it instead of owning up to their role.
50 year old black female (and others) OPEN YOUR EYES. We need better governance yes, but because they know it because they set it up that way, we are being manipulated.
Wonderful words we the People of these lands thank you! I believe that the majority of us sees what the Europeans are trying to do, but they won’t investigate their segregated community filled with racist individuals that must leave our country nor their own corruption, which is fast greater than ours! But just watch Jesus got this! I believe it is time that the UN investigate the segregated practices of these foreign Europeans that come into these OT countries with their bigotry and racism behavior, and the governor that support them and their agendas. Independence must come and they will have to go back home and their biggest fear will come through.
How do we know you are an African woman? I have no time for your long comment.
At least it brought education, which is definitely needed round here. It’s Sir Geoffrey not Sir Cox ffs.
Who the f*** cares?
You come on all these blogs with your Racist blogging, you want us to fall, yet you will be the first one to fall. My suggestion to you is to repent before the God you mock… Jesus Christ takes care of you!
Are my people really this deluded. Do you all really not see what our government (our own people) are doing to us? I eventually want to see us gain independence too but not under these conditions. For now I welcome the CoI to bring there deeds to light.
Who pays the piper calls the tune. This is a COI bought by the UK for the UK agenda. This will not be transparent and it will be filled with a lot of rhetoric to hype the emotions of the people to turn them against themselves.
I wonder if the governor and the UK funding bvinews as well because i have noticed your information, stories and comments always seem to be skewed favoring the governor.
Is this site in payroll? Asking for a friend…
@my observation what is obviously screwed is your ability to observe. The very fact that bvi news printed your comment should tell your screwed bias that this news site is fair beyond reproach. Hardly any post that I send to the other site is hardly ever given a thought. Ask yourself why fair minded observer. Anything that is overly critical of your government they refuse to acknowledge. Is that site on the payroll of the government. Any news that is unfavorable to the governor it is sensitized to make the governor looks bad. Insensitive governor and the like. If you want a fair and unbiased news site then read the bvi news. It is one of the fairest and unbiased news sites anywhere, did I say anywhere in our region. Kudos to the bvi news for fair and unbiased, reporting. My site for real news. So observer continue to place your ads and postings here maybe you will learn a thing or two about fair reporting. Take that in your skin.
The other … site is a joke…
it best they change their name to the VIP News site!!
On the one hand its an attack and on the other hand it’s a transparent process that you welcome from which the BVI will become stronger? Which is it Fahie? And is Cox really hired protecting future generations, or…….?
Hey Andy Foi and Mail man
This is not an attack on the BVI.
It’s an attack on your fraudulent behavior.
And I as tax-payer do not consent to pay the bill for the law firm hired by the government.
lol, so the thumb down person is willing to also pay for the lawyer for the NDP and every civil servant accused, please do so from your own pocket I personally see a lot of better use for our tax money with the economy in the toilette.
really unhelpful statements from the Premier.
the inquiry is not an attack on the BVI. pls don’t say it is, and give ammunition to those who dislike the BVI.
for once put the bvi first above personal interest.
“POLICE yourself or some one will POLICE – U-.” “DID I SAID THAT.”
I want everyone to read about what happened to the Turks and Caicos in 2009. This is an obvious attempt to dig up enough scraps to make a whole picture. They’re trying to paint this narrative that we can’t handle our own affairs. Pray for the successful and peaceful resolution of this Inquiry
The UK has already said the local authorities cannot handle the situation. Check Dominic Raab statement and the Governor statement when they announce the COI. So you are right on the ball.
Yet is a total, downright and complete shame that this independent leaning whi expats disconnect government would find itself in the bosom of the people who they say is against them to come to their rescue. You are now sending your tax payers money back to the country who enslaved you.
Talk of taking the knees off of your necks and still no one other the the independent leaning British aggressor it bringing in our expat brother to defend your honor. Don’t to think your legal rep is fully aware of your rhetoric. The very fact that you are using them is proof Premier that you have a fork tongue.
But then again you said recently and I hope the AG took note that you only got the job because you from hey. He never mentioned that you were qualified, hence that the former AG only loose his job because he wasn’t from hey. So in other words we will use the best that we have even if not up to standard. Not my words fine lady the words from your Premier. But yet you are certainly not good enough to represent the government that pays and employs you. I am wondering how many more times they will go outside the borders for expertise.
But if the governor had brought in this same guy to be AG there would be a public uproar. When will the bvi grow up. If the UK don’t take over her little piece of rock this place is in serious trouble. Blunder after blunder, mistake after mistake. My Lord help us.
@my observation what is obviously screwed is your ability to observe. The very fact that bvi news printed your comment should tell your screwed bias that this news site is fair beyond reproach. Hardly any post that I send to the other site is hardly ever given a thought. Ask yourself why fair minded observer. Anything that is overly critical of your government they refuse to acknowledge. Is that site on the payroll of the government. Any news that is unfavorable to the governor it is sensitized to make the governor looks bad. Insensitive governor and the like. If you want a fair and unbiased news site then read the bvi news. It is one of the fairest and unbiased news sites anywhere, did I say anywhere in our region. Kudos to the bvi news for fair and unbiased, reporting. My site for real news. So observer continue to place your ads and postings here maybe you will learn a thing or two about fair reporting. Take that in your skin.
This is not an attack on the BVI, it is an attack on those that are trying to drag the BVI through the mud. We all want to know where the missing money went. Finally someone is going to get to the bottom of it.
We need money for schools, roads without potholes, clean running water in our homes. That money should be here to make things better for everyone.
If Sir Geoffrey Cox QC and Withers are being paid out of public funds, I assume their services will be available equally to anyone within the scope of the inquiry?
Or will it just be the elected members that get to blow massive amounts of public funds on first rate legal counsel?
SO OUR GOV IS SPENDING OUR MONEY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES FROM AN ACCUSATION OF STEALING OUR MONEY…AND THEY HAVE GONE LARGE.. THIS WILL BE ONE HELL OF A LARGE LEGAL BILL, WIRED TO LONDON.
ALL THE WHILE WE STRUGGLE BEYOND STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE…. WHY DONT THEY FUND THEIR OWN DEFENCE?
IF THEY ARE NOT GUILTY WHY DO THEY NEED TOP SHELF DEFENCE?
WAS THERE A TENDER PROCESS, OR IS THIS APPOINTMENT GOING TO BE EXHIBIT A?
HOW CAN THE SAME LAWYER DEFEND NDP ACCUSATIONS AND VIP ACCUSATIONS??
IN MY LEGAL OPINION YOU DON’T BRING A CASE TO COURT UNLESS IT IS A DONE DEAL…..GUS HAS HAD 3 YEARS BUILDING HIS CASE!
GHUT GOIN TO NEED AN EXPANSION PROJECT…..
THIS IS VERY HURTFUL. BUT, THE UNIVERSE WILL HANDLE ALL OF THEM. THEY F***ED US OVER AND WE HAVE TO PICK UP THEIR LEGAL TAB. THE UNIVERSE IS GOING TO PUNISH ALL OF THEM. THE VOODOO MAN BAG OF TRICKS AND WASH DOWN IS NOT GOING TO STOP THE UNIVERSE FROM DISHING OUT PUNISHMENT THIS TIME. SOMEONE(s) IS GOING TO JAIL THIS TIME.
I AM SICK TO MY STOMACH. EACH AND EVERY TIME THESE IN NEED OF LOCKS ON THEIR FINGERS BUSHMEN POLITICIANS DO WRONG, WE HAVE TO COVER THE COST FOR THEIR DISGUSTING A**ES. I DON’T FEEL SORRY FOR WHO IS INVOLVED NOR DO I FEEL SORRY FOR THEIR FAMILY. SEND ALL OF THEM TO JAIL. OTHER PLACES POLITICIANS HAVE SERVE JAIL SENTENCES FOR LESS THAN WHAT THESE BUSHMEN POLITICIANS ARE ACCUSED OF DOING. OR DID. SO WHAT MAKES THIS BUNCH SPECIAL. ONE SET OF CORRUPTION CROOKS.
@ YOUTH, You have hit the nail on the head.
Premier Andrew Fahie, The attack was not launched against the BVI, The attack if you want to call it that was launched against the government of the past and present.
You said that you have nothing to hide but we all know better. You haven’t been charged but you are taking the taxpayers’ money to defend you and your government this should tell the Honorable Sir Gary Hickinbottom who you are.
No matter how you look at this Commission of Inquiry (COI), you brought this on yourself every week you keep fighting with the UK I have never seen a Premier fight with the UK as much as you, you do this because you are a b***y but it’s something you need to know b***y’s at some point find there match, and you have found yours.
Andrew Fahie you are not the type of person the BVI wants to represent them going forward. You’re trying to turn people against the governor and white people, A few years ago you ran to the governor for whatever your reasons were, now because he is trying to get the BVI on the right track he is no good.
Anyhow, no matter what law firm you hire what’s in the dark will come to light, and I hope you and some of your ministers and the NDP Premier and some of the ministers end up in jail.
People can’t pay their rent people can’t buy food and the list goes on and on but you can take thousands to defend yourself and you call yourself a man of God. The UK it’s time you save us from this government.
You have an inexperienced government instead of setting an example you decided to pick up where the ND left off.
Who will pay to renew expired work permit when the place was lockdown for almost nine months and no work for some persons yet they have to pay full price for a 2020 work permit.
It’s pretty obvious that Gus Jaspert has been building his case for three years with the help of a lot of under cover cops we half know about and a lot of tech and inside knowledge we don’t.
This isn’t sudden. This has been coming on for years.
And I suspect it’s a lot bigger than a bent wall and some missing planes.
the lawyer against Mark Vanterpool has cost the Taxpayer $ 300000. So if the public is supposed to pay for this lawyer we will reach the same amount of money as for the BVI Airline. The government has an Attorney General let them use her.
Sir Geoffrey Cox is costing the VIP $20,000.00 a day. So at a cost of millions to the taxpayer, he will defend VIP against allegations of stealing money from the taxpayer. Doesn’t seem right somehow.
Its sad to see money going towards this instead of eduaction and struggling families.