Speaker expresses discontent with governor’s handling of COI report
Speaker of the House of Assembly Julian Willock has expressed discontentment with Governor John Rankin’s statement regarding the issuance of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report to government members.
Willock noted that the governor’s statement did not mention sharing the report with the Speaker of the House.
“Governor, you will appreciate that there are three co-equal branches of government (Legislative, Executive and Judicial), and the Speaker is the head of the Legislative Branch, as set out in the Virgin Islands Constitution Order of 2007 in Sections 63 (1) and 69 (1), along with our Standing Orders and in Erskine May, which is another authority on Parliaments. It is, therefore, concerning that nowhere in your statement of April 21, 2022, you mentioned sharing a copy with the Speaker,” Willock stated.
“Sir, you have not stated whether a copy will be also shared with the Judicial Branch, which also plays a pivotal role in good governance by administering justice and safeguarding our constitution,” Willock said.
“You have made public statements about your commitment to ‘good governance,’ which also means upholding the rule of law. With that premise in mind, I take that it was merely an oversight not to mention that a copy will be shared with the Speaker,” the Speaker added.
Meanwhile, Willock said while he understands the governor has certain powers under the Commissions of Inquiry Act of 1880 and the powers held is fully respected, he strongly disagrees with the distribution timetable.
“It seems the public and the press will be the last to have sight of the report. You will recall that the people of the United Kingdom and the International community, learnt about the Commission of Inquiry (Col), via the press, even before the HoA or residents of the Virgin Islands,” Willock added.
He reiterated that the governor now has an opportunity to ‘right the wrong’ as his statement on when the COI Report will be shared indicates the local political class and “ministers in the UK” have more of an interest than the ordinary residents, civil society, captains of industry and other professionals who were called to give evidence before the Commission.
“I humbly and politely submit these insights for your consideration. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest regards,” Willock said.
The Governor had announced, on April 21, that he would be sharing a copy of the report with the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition and then the report would be shared with the leaders of the political parties represented in the House of Assembly.
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Has he paid his bill yet?
Good Question. I trust that one of the first recommendation that comes out of the COI report is for a constitutional change for the Speaker of the House to be an elected member.
I am just sick of this foolishness. Why is he getting involved?
His arrogance is based on a completely
deluded self assessment of his adequacy as a
decent human being, let alone someone to
be respected.
Willock is one of the gang of three. We know who they are. We know what they did. Judgement day is here.
He scared like a little girl.
He will never pay. The premier will use hard earned taxpayer dollars to pay because there nothing better to spend money on now.
It’s been a while since we hear the crap from the mouth of the Blonde Ba**on. It is amazing how it’s only the guilty, those that s***l that are unhappy with the COI. The good people of the Territory have no issue waiting to see them all in Orange Jumpsuits. Perhaps the ba**on, the fake preacher and the math teacher can share a cell. A true ménage a tois
These children are all running scared now. Lawyering up.
U.K. is coming back people to take us over. I cannot wait. Finally a long overdue breath of fresh air. We throw off the yokes of our current overlords and experience true democracy.
Talking pure rubbish. Not all, or even most, wants a take over of the British. We have had that for centuries, and that imperialist notion is not DEMOCRACY!
Do learn what democracy truly is. Meanwhile, flush that shyte down the toilet.
Who is this man think he is? The Governor does not answer to him, so he can take his discontent and make soup with it.
that is the governor hold control over such. and make the decision of how it’s released and when. i guess you guys (VIP & NDP) don’t like being told wait or better yet i get back to you when i am ready
good lesson learnt for you all. come off your high horse you guys on. as quickly as people put you guys in, you all can be quickly removed
Tired of you
Why the silly question about a bill the government should have already paid?
If you had high regard for the Governor you could have sent him this letter privately. Did you have high regards when you lectured him when he was first introduce to the house as to what his role and responsibilities are. Did you show him regard when you let him know who is large and in charge.
Hey now he is showing you who is really in charge you crying foul. Begging like a puppy to be respected and included. Respect breeds respect Mr Speaker. You are one of the most disrespectful person in the HOA.
But do what you do best. Find a sheep and go to court at the people expense. Ut doesn’t matter how long it takes we will recover our monies and if it was paid under hand who ever authorized the payment we will take it from them. No regards to you.
Your comment reaks with, who do those people think they are…
Be hereto informed: Many of us have long since stop being, subservient fools, bow downers to the white, [the monarchy and their representatives, who have built their entire existence and wealth off of the hard, brutal labour, sweat, blood, tears, abuse, oppression and death of Black people,] upholders of imperialism, bootlickers, among others…
Come into the 21st for your awakening to the real and changing and evlving Black mind.
The gentleman may have his issues, but who soesn’t? He is human like the rest of us..
Not a fan of the wig man but he is spot on with this one!
We don’t want hear NOTHING from you until you pay yuh bill!
boy esteemed them UK bloggers down the governors office and Ritter going eat you alive!
LMAO this is the only comment with a split vote – no-one quiet sure if (implied) white bloggers eating the speaker alive is ood or bad thing. Everyone agree speaker need to go, just not clear if white person should get to claim any credit 😉
BOY you were not elected!!!!!!!
How you could see others wrong but not yuh own? Y’all bend and twist the law as it’s convenient. Pay yuh bill!!!
Just look at that black pot spoon. Why does this man have to dip his mouth into everything that does not concern him. No body elected you. Get away!
We with you Hon Speaker we with you on this!!!
Who is we? Speak for yourself!!!!!
I meant thumps up
Get your head examined for saying this. But then again it is perhaps the wigged *** himself who blogged this.
Weeeeeeeeeeee???!!!?!?
Don’t let the haters distract you ??????? you have a history of fighting for your people
The audacity of him. He went into that COI hearing disrespecting the entire process and reading his little statement of protest. Now he want the report from the same process he disrespected claiming he is equal as he did in those hearings. The nerve.
His narcissism knows no bound. He really believes he runs things. A case of delusions of grandeur if you ask me.
Being seen as an equal is apparently very important to him. He needs to learn among other things that respect is earned. Act like an @ss, get treated like one…Mr co-equal.
The three haters blogging over and over against Julian is sad, but we can see right through it:bam
Bet the letter circulating objecting to the time table signed by “concerned citizens” was written at Pier Park at a recent meeting of the Honorable Speaker and CSC. How come he didn’t ask us if we wanted to be a part of his “concerned Citizens”. Of course not. He just knows how to piggishly demand respect from others, but he hasn’t a clue how to dish out respect to anyone.
M**s Willock you need to find a seat outside the House of Assembly sit down and shut up no one is interested in what you have to say, you don’t count.
Hon. Willock is correct of course the Speaker must be including for a copy. One may not like the holder of the post, but one must always respect the POST. And our Speaker has carried the post very well! When I see him in the House it is as if Speaker was made for him!
It is very interesting that the Hon. Wigg aka Speakmost wants to be seen as an equal now. There are 3 branches of government (legislative, executive and the judicial) and Speakmost seems to think that he can control the Governor!
If memory serves me correct, the judicial made a judgment against Speakmost who is also the head of the legislative arm of government. Not happy with the judgement, Speakmost cried wolf and the Bomber head of the executive council carried a motion to the house for the government to use tax payer’s money to pay his judgment. The irresponsible elected officials that we put in office passed the motion defying the judicial branch of government which they DO NOT have a constitutional right to do. All need locking up. Wigg now here catching feelings. Go sit dung!!!
Wait until the Governor comes back to rease the report. I hope it has in there what all of you did and put everyone of you irresponsible officials out to dry. All of you unscrupulous leaders (present and past) with your self-serving decisions brought the COI down on us and we as a people remained complicit. So we will all take blows on this.
The chickens have come home to roost. I’ll get my tea and popcorn ready. Will buy some depends for who need it cause it going to be hot in here in the next couple of weeks.
I’m dying at “Speakmost” LOL
Jillian please be quiet and stand in the corner till you’re told to come out.
@Geezeumbree – come out you say? I think you may be right.
Mehn I’m here for the comments. You guys never disappoint. Lol
WELL HE IS SPEAKING TO HIMSELF ABOUT HIMSELF , AND HE LOVE TO HEAR HIMSELF AND SURE ENJOYS FOOLING HIMSELF ?
One person the coi report does not affect is julian willock so I conclude he is the only one left standing with balls to challenge the governor and the UK
Very excellent letter, for sure you will be the people’s Speaker for life
that keeps on giving..as if Fahie did not have enough problems, here comes M**s Wiggy again
LMFAO – Thank you I needed that.
Hey Esteemed, what happened to that lawsuit you filed against Rawat and the rest? That’s really going to help everybody out a lot, considering the COI is over!
THANKS FOR ADDING YOUR VOICE AND PRESTIGE TO THIS MATTER MR JULIAN. WE THE PEOPLE OF THE BVI APPRICATE YOU
Fr, Frog at it again! There is no rest for the wicked!
YEAH RITE , HE WOULD BELIEVE IT TOO , AND WITH U BY HIS SIDE BOTH OF U CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS ( RIGHT •¿•
Thanks mr speaker for standing up for we the people
Ingrid was more professional
Willock has been a very excellent speaker he needs a second term
They need to pay the bill andrew playing willock again
If we can’t police ourselves someone will
Police us. Can we recalled hearing that statement from someone during our last election’s campaign 2018-2019??
The speaker is behaving just like Sir Elton John
Jillian just stfu! All of a sudden all branches should be respected? The Judicial branch said you must pay the lawyer bill for your BS protest of the COI! So respect that branch and pay it! Demo racy isn’t only convenient when it suits you.
You have zero respect in the entire BVI community. You were appointed and not elected by us. We do not care to hear a damned thing you have to say.
Hopefully you get a chance to continue to voice your challenges from a cell up Balsum Ghut pretty soon!
Willock looks like a G Q
agree he has always been a sharp boy always look top rated I love the handkerchief
Joules pay that legal bill yet? You would think having paid that bill he would learn to shut his trap
Why is that pointless committee taking so long to decide who paying this guy lawyer bill.
Compare these comments to the comments under the same story on the yellow site. You will see that a crazy person is blogging … That guy is a w**ko.