BVI News

Speaker declines to comment on Fahie’s Notice of Absence

Speaker of the House Corine George-Massicote

Speaker of the House of Assembly (HOA) Corine George-Massicote said she will refrain from commenting on whether she accepts or will accept First District Representative Andrew Fahie’s notice of absence from parliamentary sittings.

Under the rules that govern the HOA, Fahie stands in danger of having to vacate his seat if he is absent in any one session of the House for more than three consecutive sittings without the written leave of the Speaker. George-Massicote announced during the last sitting of the House that Fahie, for the first time since his arrest in Miami back in April, sent notice of his absence.

She did not specify whether she accepted that notice but in response to subsequent questions posed by BVI News at the weekend, Speaker George-Massicote said she would decline to comment because the matter is complicated and she did not want to be misquoted.

“I would have to explain everything. I am guided by in the Standing Order and the protocols I must follow. The Standing Order guides what I can and can’t do and at this moment I will decline to give a comment on the matter,” the Speaker said.

Fahie, who is currently facing drug smuggling and money laundering charges before a United States court alongside has been incarcerated and later restricted to home confinement since his arrest on April 28.

Trial pushback?

Fahie’s trial is scheduled to proceed on July 18, but both his attorney and US prosecutors argued the original trial date would likely need to be pushed back.

The First District Representative reportedly waived his rights under the Speedy Trial Act and prosecutors are not objecting to the delay according to court documents.

Matter for Speaker if former Premier is excused from HOA

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21 Comments

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  1. Guest says:

    she did not want to be misquoted

    Wise move.

    Like 23
    Dislike 7
  2. Let me explain her reasoning. says:

    1 – if you don’t want to be misquoted, make your statement in writing.
    2 – if you don’t know what you want to say, then say you are not saying anything for fear of being misquoted.
    3 – if you want the subject to go away, say you are following the standing orders.
    Easy!

    Like 5
    Dislike 7
    • @Let me explain says:

      She is absolutely right because sadly there’s no journalistic integrity here in the BVI! She would make a written statement with the facts which will NOT be posted, but rather a misleading headline with cut and paste quotes to give a different impression to the entirety of what was said. She is one of the smartest public officials to tell the media F**K OFF in a nice way.

      Like 16
      Dislike 3
    • right says:

      she is correct

  3. Lazy says:

    If you are guided by the standing order and guidelines then you should be able to answer a YES or No question. There is misinterpretation available.

    More double talk … more keep the peoples business away from the people.

    Basically what she is saying is “I tired, leave me alone”. Translated … “yes, I have accepted his notice of absence.”

    Transparency! Your work for us! … answer the damn question!

    Like 20
    Dislike 7
    • @Lazy says:

      The lady has common sense and does not want to become a distraction in the current circus, she is absolutely right in her responses. You guys love to much mellee and commess that’s why you are upset at her answer. What did you really want her to say? As HOA continues I’m sure we will hear more about the issue.

      Like 10
      Dislike 7
  4. vi pride gone to the dog says:

    Ok so i guess the bvi just going continue to give this man free money.. He basically laundering money from the bvi…and pushing his trial all the way jan 23.. just gives him enough time to get all that he needs to bail himself out guess what, cause he not working and he on house arrest… how does that sit right with you guys… like seriously

    Like 19
    Dislike 4
    • @vi pride says:

      I find it strange that he wants his trial to be push back to around the period when election in the BVI is constitutionally due.

      Is this a move to keep the circus together? Is this so that he could continue getting paid? Whatever the answer is the “powers that be” could potentially have more information about this fiasco than they are disclosing to the public.

      Like 7
      Dislike 1
  5. jack says:

    We miss the esteemed

    Like 5
    Dislike 27
  6. No guts no glory says:

    New speaker is a coward. Just answer the question with one of two words: YES or NO. She can provide written reasons, explanations, standing order rules, etc. after Festival!

    Like 7
    Dislike 7
  7. Absurd says:

    This is the peoples business and the public has a right to know what is your decision by now . That is why we are at this crossroads . Bad way to start ..: Premier passing the buck and Speaker afraid to stand up and make a firm ruling . The laws of the constitution is there to
    Protect you lady for doing what is correct don’t be intimated or afraid .

  8. .... says:

    That is what a press release is for . There are ways to get it done without being misquoted

  9. IDK says:

    she sounds like a weakling

    Like 1
    Dislike 5
  10. are you says:

    Really sitting on the fence…lol..grow a spine

    Like 2
    Dislike 5
  11. lol says:

    It will be treated with in accordance with the standing orders, protocols, and established parliamentary processes.

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