We’re private people! Walwyn slams ‘intrusive’ Service Commissions Bill
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn strongly criticised the Service Commissions Bill, describing it as an unprecedented intrusion into the private lives of public servants in the BVI.
The bill, which stems from Recommendation B39 of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report, proposes extensive vetting processes for officers in crucial law enforcement departments, including Customs, Immigration, and the Prison Service.
Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, Walwyn expressed concerns over the scope of the bill, which he believes could discourage residents from pursuing careers in these fields. He also highlighted the potential impact on the morale of public servants, suggesting that the bill might demotivate honest workers while targeting a minority who may simply be “one or two bad eggs” engaging in misconduct.
“You don’t go and come with sweeping changes for everybody and demotivate who doing a good job just to get a couple of people who you know are not doing a good enough job or who perhaps are being dishonest,” he stated. Walwyn emphasised that existing oversight bodies should be sufficient for maintaining accountability.
Leave people’s business alone
One of Walwyn’s major points of contention was the bill’s requirement for extensive disclosure of personal information. According to the bill, vetting would involve collecting details about officers’ financial records, family members, and even their social media accounts.
Walwyn argued that such measures violate the right to privacy, a value deeply cherished in the BVI. “We place a high premium on privacy in this country… it’s not because we’re hiding anything; we’re just private people,” he remarked. “I don’t like people in my business at all and I know many of us in here are like that.”
The legislator also questioned the rationale behind including family members and associates in the vetting process. The proposed regulations mandate the disclosure of information about spouses, children over the age of ten, and even close friends or business partners. Walwyn warned that this could dissuade people from entering public service roles, particularly in law enforcement, where local representation is already low.
Mystery independent body
He further criticised the lack of clarity regarding the independent body responsible for vetting. The bill proposes outsourcing the vetting process to an external entity, which Walwyn argued could undermine local oversight and potentially lead to biased outcomes.
Walwyn expressed deep concern that external entities might not understand the BVI’s local context or specificities. “Who is going to be in this independent body? Where will they be placed? Is it MI5? Who it is?” he questioned. While emphasising that he could not support such an independent body, Walwyn stressed that the Public Service Commission should do its job.
“Don’t subject our people to no independent agency that we don’t even know who that independent agency is,” he continued. “We don’t know what their intentions might be for BVI.”
Walwyn urged the government to reconsider the bill’s provisions and defend the rights of BVI residents. He also called for a more balanced approach that targets wrongdoing without compromising the privacy and dignity of law-abiding public servants. “We must not demotivate everyone just to catch a few people,” he asserted, urging lawmakers to protect the public from undue scrutiny and maintain the trust and morale of public servants.
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What has this lawyer got against people being vetted to check they are right for an important job. We may need to check he is an actual lawyer. It would appear like he is very keen to keep some things hidden.
Nevertheless he will vote for it, like all of them vote for every bill.
Andrew Fahie must have said “you can’t be private in the public” at least 100 times on public channels.
GSYMS. how you want to be a PUBLIC servant but have a PRIVATE life. transparency is needed
Seems like this man is against anything that has to do with transparency. Last time it was the integrity bill, now it’s this. He also lambasted the COI. You all can come to your own conclusions but this is not looking good.
you people in the british virgin islands are very stupid people. on her majesty’s service. on his majesty’s service. it is a privilege and a luxury to have employment and housing. employment in the uk/british public service/civil service has nothing to do with europeans enslaving africans.
None of this will stop, it will only get worst.
The nature of the colonialist is such.
Hence, they will continue to use the notion and tools of colonialism to continue to boss, push around and invade a people’s sovereign rights on all levels.
Those vile intrusions the Minster have mentioned are just the tip of an iceberg of a sneaky, but greater plan for capturing and taking away from the local power structure the islands and economic pillars that it did not build.
If we fail to study history and prevent it from over taking us, it will come right back to bite us in or back sides.
We are not bound to repeat history, history will repeat us.
If you do not want your investments to be vetted, do not become a politically exposed person.
How about just staying outof our business. Our business is not yours. Stay out of our bu** holes.
You are hired by the public to represent the public you will of course be in the public eye. If you have something to hide please do not seek a high paying job in the public service.
Simple
Who is WE WHEN PEOPLE BUSINESS ALWAYS BEING DISCUSSED IN RUM SHOPS
Man arrested and charged over the wall so he has a lot to hide
My Boi trying keep them politicians corrupted practices private lol
But premier saying let’s get rid of the “perception of corruption. Oh boi
folks here would say in murder investigation, “why you so intrusive” strupes. the gov elected and civil servants have been found guilty by all of murdering our money and resource for they gain. get yo sc—t a– out of kitchen if it too hot . .
You’re right, Honorable Walwyn;
Private people need not be in positions like that of a public nature, collecting monies related to the public purse;
Private people, need only remain, in positions of “privacy”;
Private people, then, should remain, rather, “private”, and live their “private” lives, outside of the scope of the public domain, and all it has to offer!
every country in world and every citizen in the world need privacy information act and human rights laws
publicity is bad. public life and public forum is bad