Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

CARICOM blasts UK, Ex-Gov Jaspert over secretive CoI launch

CARICOM blasts UK, Ex-Gov Jaspert over secretive CoI launch

The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) has broken its silence over the secretive nature of the Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry (CoI) as established by the former controversial Governor, Augustus J.U. Jasper in collaboration with the British Government days before he demitted office.

Announced on January 18, 2021, the inquiry was called over unfounded allegations of corruption and discrimination in the VI public service, with the embattled ex-governor having no consultations with the duly elected local government ahead of the decision.

At a noon press conference on January 22, 2021, in the ‘Tortola Room’ of the Arbitration Centre in Wickham’s Cay II, Mr Jaspert brought forward no evidence of the allegations, however, said it was based on reports from the 'community' and several others.

At a 12:00 pm press conference held on January 22, 2021, in the ‘Tortola Room’ of the Arbitration Centre, Wickham’s Cay II, Tortola, Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, left, brought forward no evidence of the allegations, however, said that the evidence was based on reports from the 'community' and several others. Right is CoI Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom.


CARICOM breaks silence


CARICOM in a statement today, February 26, 2021, has since broken its silence and said they were in receipt of a letter from Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) which apprised of the manner in which the announcement of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) was made.

“Heads of Government are cognizant of the disquiet that has arisen among the people of the British Virgin Islands about the establishment of the COI,” the statement noted.

“Further, the Heads of Government are dismayed at the manner in which the CoI was established with no consultation, or prior communication, between the UK government and the duly-elected government of the British Virgin Islands,” CARICOM said.

Premier Andrew A. Fahie on January 19, 2021, informed that while his administration had no objection to a transparent CoI, he said Ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert had always told local Cabinet Members, that due process must be followed ahead of any inquiry.


Associate members share VI’s concerns – CARICOM


The regional organisation further revealed that the strongly expressed concerns of the Fahie Government are also concerns shared by other Associate Members of the Community.

The statement, however, did not say how CARICOM intends to move forward with those concerns as a regional organisation given that the VI is currently an Associate Member.

Meanwhile, Premier Fahie on January 19, 2021, informed that while his administration had no objection to a transparent CoI, he said Ex-Governor Jaspert had always told local Cabinet Members, that due process must be followed ahead of any inquiry.

He said the ex-Governor advised “that before a Commission of Inquiry can be convened, that to ensure due process, all Government institutions established to ensure accountability, transparency and Good Governance must be allowed to function and produce their reports,” however, the controversial Mr Jaspert may not have followed his recommendations.

VI Auditor General, Ms Sonia M. Webster, when asked on January 20, 2021, whether she furnished the Office of the Governor with any recent report to facilitate his CoI, said her office had not done so.


No recent reports were sent to Governor's office – AG Webster


VI Auditor General, Ms Sonia M. Webster, when asked on January 20, 2021, whether she furnished the Office of the Governor with any recent report to facilitate his CoI, said her office had not done so.

Ex-Governor Jaspert at his January 22, 2021, press conference in the ‘Tortola Room’ also could not say whether he received written reports from any Government institutions to warrant the CoI.

The former controversial Governor also angered sections of the VI over what many deemed as insensitive and even racist statements, when he advocated for the preservation of names and local landmarks in honour of perpetrators of slavery who slaughtered, raped and killed the ancestors of Virgin Islanders.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×