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Where was your voice when NDP labelled as corrupt? Penn asks

Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Marlon Penn.

Much of the government’s debate contributions on the recently passed Integrity in Public Life Act have centred on the ease with which public officials are constantly being labelled as corrupt, without any consequences attached.

But Opposition Leader Marlon Penn has questioned what he suggests is an apparent newfound virtue adopted by the government and its stance of protecting the good name of public officials.

He particularly singled out Deputy Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley for his comments that decried the practice of persons wantonly ascribing corruption to public officials.

In his debate contribution, Dr Wheatley said any suggestion that the current government is involved in any acts of corruption should be put to bed.

The Deputy Premier expressed that he was horrified after hearing a speech that the government was using political advisors to put money in their own pockets; calling any such statements reckless and unwarranted.

Meanwhile, Penn said he heard no rebuke coming from Dr Wheatley about certain comments from the now Premier Andrew Fahie that were made on the campaign trail during the last election.

“I recall on the campaign trail in 2019 the member’s own leader went around — all around the BVI, all around the airwaves — saying the last administration was the most corrupt government in the history of corrupt governments in the Virgin Islands,” Penn said.

“Where was your voice when those comments were uttered when you were right there next to the leader?“ Penn asked.

According to the Opposition Leader, the Premier even went as far as retracting those comments during the Commission of Inquiry, insisting now that there is no corruption in the country or in government.

Penn argued that it was politically expedient for those labels to be placed back then on good Virgin Islands citizens and their families and questioned why there has since been no retraction made for Premier Fahie’s claims.

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6 Comments

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  1. To Hon Penn says:

    But facts are facts. And you didn’t open your mouth then like you was singing against that poor church on the beach the other day. You was mum when you colleagues were doing the most with the people money. So hush because much of what you have been saying since 25 Feb 2019 is PURE NOISE.

    Like 4
    Dislike 7
  2. Vex says:

    No body wants to hear about the ndp period

    Like 5
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  3. The facts says:

    It’s very easy to shout ‘Integrity in Public Life’ and ‘Good Governance Legislation’

    But if you examine their concerns its ‘the ease with which public officials are constantly being labeled as corrupt, without any consequences’

    In other words, don’t mess with them otherwise the whistleblower will be the one that’s haunted.

    The question is what are these??? They are not in the interest of Openness, transparency, fairness, or Good Governance

  4. Oops says:

    Marlon had things penned up in him for all those years ndp was in power. I guessed he’s grown into himself, he was shy, naive, unfit for the task. Maybe the puppet master is pulling with energetically on string attached to his tongue.

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  5. Yop says:

    ? ? well said Oops.

  6. Meh son says:

    And where was your voice Marlon?

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