BVI News

Why are bodyguards for Fahie ‘the person’ and not ‘the Premier’?

Vanterpool outside the House of Assembly on Tuesday, July 16.

Newly sworn-in Fourth District Representative Mark Vanterpool said he is not convinced about Premier Andrew Fahie’s reasons for hiring a full-time personal security detail with taxpayer dollars and said he has a number of questions surrounding the precedence set by the leader of government business.

Following a disagreement between himself and House of Assembly Speaker Julian Willock on Tuesday, Vanterpool marched outside the establishment and spoke extensively on the issue.

“I intend to ask the Honourable House to let the people of this territory — especially our hard-working taxpayers — know why Premier and Minister for Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie is the first leader of government in the history of the Virgin Islands to attract a full-time security detail. Why is this security detail costing us taxpayers millions of dollars and why is this security detail that we have for Honourable Andrew Fahie, ‘the man’, as opposed to ‘the Premier’ or ‘the Office’,” Vanterpool said.

Security for how long?

Vanterpool then proceeded to inquire whether the same security detail will be available to the Acting Premier in the absence of the Premier.

He questioned: “Why is the taxpayer to pay over $5 million for the security of Honourable Andrew Fahie – the person – for the next four years?”

“When the Honourable Andrew Fahie is no longer Premier since this threat appears to be personal, who will pay for the personal protection of Honourable Andrew Fahie or will a bill be passed in this session that all Premiers in future will receive security for life?” Vanterpool further asked.

No reports to the police?

And while contradicting previous statements from Fahie, Vanterpool said he had reliably learnt that the Commissioner of Police had not yet received any reports from the Premier, even four months after Fahie received the reported threats.

Vanterpool further said, if the threats are credible, he believes ‘serious action’ must be taken immediately to find the perpetrators.

“If it is a threat to one’s life, especially on the life of the Premier of this territory, we need to order a full investigation into this threat. We needed to have Scotland Yard detectives here long ago to find out why our Premier is under threat,” Vanterpool stated.

Relationship between security and past allegation?

The veteran politician said he will be seeking to find out whether the security requested by the Premier is to protect him from the reported 2003 criminal investigation where Fahie as a government Minister was allegedly accused of being involved in money laundering.

Vanterpool said he will also be aiming to discover whether that case is pending or closed as he believes it is of great importance to the people of the BVI.

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49 Comments

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  1. SMH says:

    Your intentions are made known. Go work for the people now!

    Like 14
    Dislike 7
  2. FIRST DISTRICT says:

    Mark keep off of our man on a mission. This country does not belong to one family.

    Like 25
    Dislike 25
  3. vip heckler says:

    Short answer CONFLICT OF INTEREST because that company is jointly owned by a VIP supporter and politician.

    Like 30
    Dislike 6
  4. mark my words says:

    OFFSHOREALERT.COM and get all the facts

    Like 11
    Dislike 3
    • Why don't you says:

      tell us more.

      Like 13
    • Jane says:

      OffshoreAlert is subscription only so referring people here doesnt help uncover anything.

      Like 1
      Dislike 1
      • BPB says:

        MARK VANTERPOOL WILL BE EXPOSED REALLY SOON HIMSELF, HE HAVE A LOT OF DIRTY LIENS SO HE NEED TO SHUT UP AND GO SIT DOWN. RIGHT NOW HE SINGING FOR HE SUPPER. HE WILL SOON BE IN HANDCUFFS. SO WATCH WHAT YOU SAY.

        Like 18
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        • @BPB says:

          WHY ARE YOU SO UP IN THE MAN GRILL.SORRY FOR BEING SO BLUNT BUT WHY ARE YOU WATCHMANING THE MAN C**k.

          Like 10
          Dislike 1
        • Will says:

          He will be in the silver bracelets when a horse can taxi down the runway like a plane and take off in the air. Mark will be just fine.The day a Politician go to jail in the BVI,I would walk around Road Town handing out a crisp $100.00 bill to everyone on the street.One Politician get locked up, all is going to get locked up. They all have dirt on each other.

          Like 10
  5. vip heckler says:

    Mark i am glad that you are back to expose the nastiness. It’s no wonder the top brass of the VIP didn’t want you in the house. I say go ahead and EXPOSE them some more and whenever the premier tries to exempt sheep and carwind from this conflict of interest MAKE MORE NOISE !

    Like 36
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    • good to great says:

      Them should make mark leader of the opposition because marlon is too soft and for some strange reason frazer is very quiet

      Like 28
      Dislike 13
      • Why? says:

        Why make noise and talk more unnecessary froth? Whether or not you rant you carry home a salary every month. Taxpayers’ hard earned money.

        Like 7
        Dislike 19
      • Puppet Master says:

        Ok puppet master, why we don’t put Myrun while we’re at it? Sorry I forgot.

        Like 4
        Dislike 9
      • I think says:

        Andrew have bodyguards to keep the public from having availability to him. Why would anyone send out a threat to a Premier from a one horse Caribbean Country that is backwards. If this was the US Ok but not Tortola.Another thing, in this place, nothing is secret,people talk,how come no one knows who is calling the treats. Sounds like BS to me.

        Like 19
        Dislike 4
        • @I think says:

          FACTS, personally I think “mi amor” need sit down because he himself have alot of skeletons in the closet. But really if this threat on the premier is so serious why wasnt there an arrest or a public investigation into the matter????

          Like 6
          Dislike 1
        • @I think says:

          This ‘backwards, one horse Caribbean Country’ is your bread and butter. Show some respect. If your very developed home country could feed you, there would be no need to beg for our handouts so humble yourself.

          Like 2
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          • Really? says:

            Expatriates does get handouts now? I thought it was only the born here that does get that.

      • Because says:

        Fraser is sitting back enjoying a good laugh and minding his business.

        Like 3
        Dislike 1
  6. VI says:

    That is why they should have kept him out of the HOA. He is an expat trouble maker

    Like 13
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    • [PBK says:

      I CONCUR, MARK IS AN EXPRAT TROUBLE MAKER, HE NEED TO GO TO ANGUILLA TO TOOT HIS HORNS….

      Like 16
      Dislike 25
      • @Peanut butter and Kale/ PBK says:

        That go back where you came from is sooooo stale and worn out. Mark don’t give a fleek about what you and others have to say.

        Like 19
        Dislike 3
  7. Honestly says:

    Let’s be honest and objective here. Mark is making valid points. I’m not going to get into it in the comments just read the article and understand.

    Like 35
    Dislike 10
    • @Honestly says:

      I am riding with you on your comment. If you truly read the article and understand you will get it. Like wise as well,I will not comment. I am going to sit back,keep my mouth shut,observe and listen.That is how I get my answer to everything.

      Like 13
      Dislike 1
  8. Really Now says:

    Now that you’re asking questions, here is one we the taxpayers need an answer to: where did the millions overspent on the pier park go? There are others but let’s deal with this one now. You know the rules, follow them and stop making a lot of noise and blowing hot air. No one has clean hands so just shut up and sit down.

    Like 13
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    • Well now says:

      We still at this Pier park dilema. Honestly what ever the Pier Park cost. It is worthy of it and more. Hon. Vanterpool, there are individuals who just feels that you were the one signing the checks. There are people who answers to you let them share the blame too. These ignorant people in the BVI.

      Like 8
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      • @well now says:

        You really think HE had to personally sign cheques to be a beneficiary of the cheques which were in excess of US$100m?

    • Bushtea says:

      Ask Honestly Speaking for that answer. Mark don’t mind them, do what Andrew did for years, exposé the wrong and blow the whistle.

      Like 5
      Dislike 4
  9. cpd says:

    MARK DID A FAVOR FOR SOMEONE IN THE PAST NOW HE TAKING ABOUT IT. YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER DONE IT THEN. I AM SURE THAT PERSON DID A FAVOR FOR YOU A AS WELL. CHILDISH TO THE CORE.

    Like 9
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  10. lawyer says:

    Mark has some valid points that all taxpayers should be concern about. If our Premier is under treat then the police and Scotland Yard should be on the case. Five Million dollars in four years is allot of dough. That could feed $250 persons for four years!! We need the Queen to step in and put her royal subjects in order.

    Like 30
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    • @Lawyer says:

      Exactly! Why have a set of body guards for himself and not his family. they soon at the same 7.2 million dollars, just watch.

      Like 20
      Dislike 2
  11. =) says:

    But seriously, does the Premier really need security. Despite isolated cases of murders & robberies, I would think the country is still safe. If he thinks he is not safe here, then we should all be scared with our safety, too.

    Like 23
    Dislike 4
  12. My two cents. says:

    Not a fan of Vanterpool since these shenanigans but would be looking forward to his speeches.
    On the premier’s threat I totally agree. I never bought that story. This is the Caribbean not Mexico. I could understand some security at his office etc but 24 hr security Nah!!! That one aint flying!!!

    Like 26
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    • It is not says:

      It is not flying with me one bit also.Something is wrong with the whole picture. Scotland yard need to clear this up.

      Like 27
      Dislike 2
  13. If only says:

    My friend used to say ‘do no evil, fear no evil. ‘.

    If only walls could talk.

    Like 11
    Dislike 1
  14. no not for premier says:

    If the leader would tell the police who is trying to harm him the person will be arrested and he wont be needing no doggone security alcatraz style

    Like 19
    Dislike 1
    • How? says:

      Because there is no one to tell on. Exactly, if someone was trying to harm me I would expose the person/persons. The thing is, I hope this is not a lie.And if someone is out to get you no matter how much bodyguards you got around you,they will get you no matter what. So I guess he will have to have bodyguards when he leaves office.

  15. LOL says:

    ayo aint see mark had this planned? the man walked with his portable microphone

    Like 11
    Dislike 2
  16. @really now says:

    Why we don’t stop arguing about the pier park? That’s the best thing in the bvi right now. We should be happy it was built whether overrun or underrun it’s the best thing ever. When will we move on and find some solution for this government to do better. So far they are a crying shame.

    Like 10
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  17. Not a fan says:

    I’m not a fan of mark but this time I’m with him.. We can assign 2 police officers to him during working hours and he pays for his own personal security after hours .

    Like 21
    Dislike 2
  18. @well now says:

    Agree totally with you, about time it stop it’s the best thing in the bvi. Whether he steal or overspend let’s move on to bigger and better but right now there’s nothing to compare to the pier park everyone should be grateful.

    Like 4
    Dislike 4
  19. thing teh talk says:

    Maybe if scotland yard or the police get involved things will come out what he dont want to come out

    Like 11
  20. Lol says:

    I like your Shower Head looking Mic Mark….

  21. Anonymous says:

    It looks like a million dollar fish and smells fishy.

  22. The Nation speaks says:

    How about we take Mark suggestion and pass a bill mandating security for the Premier. The fact is Mark, it is high day that the Premier…be it Fahie or you or anyone else sitting in the office of the Premier, gets security and not just any security…the secret service top brass kind. Why do we always have to be reactive and not proactive in this territory???

    Like 1
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    • J says:

      The security should be provided from within our police ranks not a private firm. The fact that the owner was on the VIP ticket last election brings a lot into question. I personally wonder if it is a means of swindling money out of taxpayers.

      By the way, what about Claude Cline? There is no talk about his accomplishments. I’m sure that his first 6 months are just about up. In fact they are probably drafting the press release for his next contract.

  23. Truth says:

    All of them are a bunch crocks. Part have young blood but what use are they if leaders spend time tearing down while all of them hand in the cookie Jar. Well watch this ladies children and gentleman

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