Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jun 23, 2025

CARICOM looking on with 'concern' @ CoI in VI

CARICOM looking on with 'concern' @ CoI in VI

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), of which the Virgin Islands (VI) is an Associate Member, has been paying attention to the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI) sponsored by the United Kingdom (UK) and continues to express concerns.

The regional body has issued a statement on the VI as part of their communique at the conclusion of the 42nd Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government from July 5-6, 2021.

According to the CARICOM statement, it is concerned that the CoI may be preventing the democratically elected government from effectively carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

According to the statement, “The Caribbean Community has noted the ongoing Commission of Inquiry in the British Virgin Islands announced in January 2021, backed by the UK Government. It notes with concern some indication that the democratic political institutions in the British Virgin Islands have not been allowed to fully perform their constitutional functions.

CoI accused of disrespecting Constitution & HoA


Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Julian Willock has blasted the Commission as having no regards for the constitution and the House of Assembly.

He said the lone Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom violated parliamentary sovereignty, norms, traditions, convention and the rule of law by asking Honourable members to appear before him on dates the House was scheduled to have Sittings despite being told about the schedule.

“Even today many of our Members are not attending this workshop because again they are asked to appear before him on, the day of a Parliamentary activity after we told him in advance of this event,” Hon Willock said at the opening of the Virgin Islands Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Members Training on Monday, June 14, 2021.

VI Gov’t urged to take a pause from CoI


Meanwhile, host of the Honestly Speaking Radio Programme on ZBVI 780 AM, Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline has said the Government of the Virgin Islands is completely sidetracked and distracted from the core business of doing the people's work, especially as it relates to this COVID-19 global pandemic.

There are currently 558 active cases in the territory and while the numbers have been rising the CoI continues as normal, even as the UK Government has dodged an inquiry into its own handling of the pandemic, citing it being an ill opportune time due to the global pandemic.

According to Skelton-Cline the eyes of government “are not on the ball, not because they don't want to, but because there is an obsession, a preoccupation of efforts and energies that is being expended to the CoI.

“And one of the reasons why I believe and this is Claude Skelton Cline speaking that we are in the predicament that we are in today is because our guys and gals eyes are not on the ball, and might I add, we as a people, our eyes are not on the ball either. Because we are so busy obsessing with the mele and the salaciousness and the gossip of stuff we already know but is coming out through the CoI, that we aren't even paying attention to what's happening to our country, we are not paying attention to what's happening to each other."

The clergyman argued that the government should write to Mr Dominic R. Raab, the UK Foreign Secretary for the Overseas Territories, informing the UK that effective immediately they are suspending cooperation with the Commission of Inquiry.

He said this is until the VI can get their heads and hands around the ongoing challenges of this pandemic.

CARICOM dismayed @ manner CoI was established


Meanwhile, CARICOM also said it recalls its dismay as expressed at its Thirty-Second Inter-Sessional Meeting held in February 2021, “at the manner in which the Commission of Inquiry was established with no consultation, or prior communication, between the UK government and the duly-elected government of the BVI.”

According to the statement, as a Region committed to democracy, transparency and the rule of Law, the Caribbean Community salutes the full cooperation of the Government of the VI with the Commission of Inquiry.

“Heads of Government urge that every effort be made to ensure that the constitutional functions to be carried out by the Government can be undertaken without hindrance. They look forward to an early conclusion of a COI that will lead to a just outcome.”

Deputy Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) attended the meeting on behalf of Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

CARICOM family standing with VI- Dr Wheatley


Commenting on the outcome, Dr Wheatley said, “This was a very important CARICOM meeting that covered many issues facing the region, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, tourism, financial services and other matters. It is a difficult time for the Caribbean and we stand in solidarity with our neighbours as a part of the CARICOM family, just as they are standing with us here in the BVI during our period of challenge.”

Heartened by solidarity expressed- Premier


Commenting on the CARICOM statement on the VI, Premier Fahie said,“I am heartened by the solidarity expressed by CARICOM. As the regional body that stands up for democratic values, human rights and the rule of law across the Caribbean and beyond, they want the BVI constitution to be respected and for self-governance to be upheld and maintained. We will remain engaged with CARICOM and keep them updated on our situation.”

The Deputy Premier was joined by Financial Secretary Mr Jeremiah Frett, Assistant Secretary for External Affairs Ms Dwynel Davis and Special Envoy of the Premier Mr E. Benito Wheatley.

Deputy Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), in photo, attended the CARICOM meeting on behalf of Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Julian Willock, left, has blasted the Commissioner of Inquiry Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom, right, as having no regards for the constitution and the House of Assembly.

CARICOM said it recalls its dismay as expressed at its Thirty-Second Inter-Sessional Meeting held in February 2021, ‘at the manner in which the Commission of Inquiry was established with no consultation, or prior communication, between the UK government and the duly-elected government of the BVI.’

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
×