BVI News

UK reportedly waiting on COI outcome before deciding on drug bill

United Kingdom Secretary of State, Dominic Raab has reportedly indicated that he is awaiting the reports from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) before deciding on the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) (Amendment) Act now at his office awaiting assent.

This was purported by Speaker of the House of Assembly Jullian Willock in a public statement to the territory released April 26.

The Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Amendment Act 2020 would decriminalise possession of small amounts of cannabis and erase some previous convictions. It is one of the bills that former Governor Augustus Jaspert refused to give assent to before he departed his post earlier this year.

In his written statement, Willock said: “It is extremely concerning that the Right Honourable Dominic Raab has stated to the Premier that he is awaiting the reports from the Commission of Inquiry before making a decision as to the assent to the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) (Amendment) Act.”

Partial suspension of constitution?

Willock went on to state that Raab’s action suggests that he is giving precedence to the COI over the BVI’s constitution. He also questioned whether the lack of assent is an indication of the UK’s suspension of the BVI constitution.

“Therefore, a decision is not being taken on the basis of the clear provisions of the constitution, despite reports to the contrary. It would appear that the Right Honourable Secretary of State is giving precedence to the Commission of Inquiry over the constitution,” Willock said.

He added: “By virtue of the Commission of Inquiry taking precedence over the Constitution of the Virgin Islands, the question we may now ask, is our constitution being suspended?”

The suspension of the BVI Constitution after the conclusion of COI is a possibility that elected officials fear greatly.

This is because there was a temporary suspension of the Turks & Caicos constitution in 2009 after a similar COI was conducted in that territory.

The suspension of the constitution would also be seen as a major blow to the efforts of elected leaders who pride themselves on gaining greater self-determination for the BVI.

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43 Comments

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  1. Sick says:

    Anybody elect he? I never see no other speaker talking on these things that don’t concern them. Should ln’t it be the leader of the government saying this? Stay in your lane dude

    Like 80
    Dislike 4
  2. Oh Well says:

    If it takes a temporary suspension of the constitution to get our elected officials and the speaker out of office before election, then let’s move forward with the suspension.

    The worst government in the history of the Virgin Islands.

    Like 63
    Dislike 7
  3. Shaft says:

    Do you think that they would of suspended an (AGRICULTURAL BILL) ? and which is more constructive or positive for the country ? For real

    Like 10
  4. Mestizo says:

    Is marijuana legal in the BVI?? How will it reach to the people’s hand??

  5. jack says:

    keep pressing them Mr. Speaker

    Like 7
    Dislike 30
  6. awa says:

    You all are running scared. The British Virgin Islands Publications has been taking the people for a ride for so long it’s about time the ride stops. The VIP party is pushing for independence so they can do what they want but the people don’t want it because we know how that will turn out so stop pushing it on the people. Not too long ago the VIP was talking about changing the Constitution. We need to get this investigation over with one way or the other, If you have nothing to fear don’t swet it.

    Like 37
    Dislike 2
  7. FATF review & Narco State says:

    Now that BVI has become an official Narco State the BVI Govnerment should be suspended. It is expected that we will fail our upcoming FATF peer review in June 2021 due to the fact that the BVI is associated with drug trafficking and money laundering on an organised level not seen before in the Caribbean.

    Like 28
    Dislike 8
  8. Just to get out carvin says:

    F*ken e**l puppet…

  9. stay out says:

    It is the government’s legislative agenda not yours Mr. Willock. You are the speaker not a member of the ruling government. You continue to put yourself in things that do not concern you. Let Andrew deal with governor on this.

    Like 53
    Dislike 2
  10. The Nation says:

    Look wickedness!!

    Like 10
  11. Question says:

    Who does Hon. Willock think he is? LOL!!!

    Like 39
    Dislike 2
  12. @FATF says:

    Pure rubbish! The BVI does not manufacture drugs here, it’s a transhipment point just like many other islands coming up the chain so try your best. The irony is that those who are doing the reviews are the reasons that the drugs pass through here in the first place because they are addicted and can’t do without the product.

    Like 11
    Dislike 5
  13. like man says:

    The speaker is out of his league

    Like 19
    Dislike 3
  14. The Nation says:

    That’s despicable…the BVI public is not on trial with the COI..it’s the leaders…so why hold up the people bread! Look joke here…

    Like 5
    Dislike 10
  15. Anonymous says:

    Lord, her comes terror upon all over again.

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  16. Rubber Duck says:

    If you are carrying out an enquiries that is largely about drugs, why would you pass a drugs law before it’s finished? We won’t have long to wait.

    Like 15
    Dislike 1
  17. YOUTH says:

    The UK are dictators.

    Like 4
    Dislike 18
    • @YOUTH says:

      THEY ARE DICTATORS, BUT YOU ARE EATING THEIR FOOD AND LIVING OFF THEIR SERVICES EVERY DAY. I AM FINE LIVING UNDER UK LAW. SOON YOU AND WHOEVER KEEP BASHING THE UK WILL LEARN WHAT BITING THE HAND THAT FEEDS REALLY FEELS LIKE.

  18. Clearly says:

    The UK is acting high handedly

    Like 10
    Dislike 16
  19. People says:

    Keep an eye on these modern day slavery moves by the UK.

    Like 8
    Dislike 18
  20. WOW says:

    In the UK marijuana is legal but they are trying to stop the BVI from getting their share of a multimillion dollar industry. This is foolishness.

    Like 1
    Dislike 12
  21. WOW says:

    I cannot believe the hypocrisy of the UK

    Like 2
    Dislike 13
  22. FACTS says:

    Who have more drugs running through the place than the UK.

    Like 1
    Dislike 13
    • OPEN YOUR EYES says:

      SEE WHY WE NEED A ALL WOMEN CABINET? A ALL WOMEN CABINET IS WHAT IS NEEDED TO BUILD THE BVI BACK ON ITS FEET.

      Like 6
      Dislike 1
      • WOULD HIGHLY AGREE says:

        Would love to see a all female cabinet in 2023. It would make BVI HISTORY AND IT WILL BE VERY GOOD FOR BUSINESS.

        Like 1
        Dislike 1
  23. NDP supporter says:

    This Commission of Inquiry is a modern day whip for slavery. It is not transparent and not right how it is being done. It is a mere set up.

    Like 3
    Dislike 11
  24. What a pity says:

    Democracy only exist when they are in agreement.

    Like 4
    Dislike 1
  25. funny says:

    FACTS, WOW, WOW, YOUTH, People, Clearly

    Wow the fact that the youth and people are clearly the same blogger just wow!!!

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  26. LOL says:

    LOOK JOKES, SO NOW WE KNOW WHO IS RUNNING THE BVI. HE WAS NOT ELECTED AND HE IS ALL UP IN THE SAUCE. LOL!!!!! PLEASE STAY IN YOUR LANE SIR, DON’T SWERVE.

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  27. fool says:

    He keep cussing the queen and wouldn’t tek off her wig off he head.

    Like 13
    Dislike 1
  28. Peoples Honest Survey says:

    If you ARE in favor of a all women cabinet, PRESS THUMBS UP. If you are NOT in favor of a all women cabinet, PRESS THUMBS BOWN. PLEASE BE HONEST AND TRANSPARENT WITH YOUR ANSWER.

    Like 8
    Dislike 4
  29. The truth says:

    Ha ha the organizers of these same anti Willock blogs can’t fool we

    Hon Willock you are spot on and we the people support your position no need for us to blog like the white people

    Like 3
    Dislike 7
  30. @ sick says:

    The ESTEEMED one is just FLEXING his muscles in other words – he is just letting us know who running the SHOW – CSC is just a mouth piece or just for distractional purposes ( the esteem one can make rings around those jokers without even trying •

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  31. @you says:

    Just don’t want to post my comment / ard you AFRAID or playin g games

  32. Hey Smart Guys says:

    Cannabis has being removed from the drug list recently. Can’t be a drug with so many different uses medical and recitational.

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