Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025

CoI report did not touch Governor’s Court Portfolio- SFC

CoI report did not touch Governor’s Court Portfolio- SFC

Many residents, talk show hosts and commentators continue to ask why the one-man United Kingdom-sponsored Commission of Inquiry (CoI) did not touch any matters under the Governor's portfolio. Many have used this fact to claim that the CoI was biased and a witch hunt against those who spoke out against racism and colonialism, with an attempt to destabilise the nation and brand residents as corrupt.

Others have opined that it’s the old British game practice for centuries, as they engaged a retired Judge Gary R. Hickinbottom with a mandate to do the dirty hit job on residents and the Government of the day.

Courts left out

The fact that the courts or the judicial system under Governor John J. Rankin's portfolio were never part of the CoI was confirmed last month by Registrar of the Supreme Court Mrs Vareen C. Vanterpool-Nibbs while testifying before the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee (SFC).

She noted that “the CoI report did not cover recommendations for the Supreme Court therefore, no provision is made in the budget in relation to that matter”.

However, she did mention one item that came up aside was the Jury Act.

The Police Force, another of the Governor's portfolio, was not touched.

After confirming that the CoI did not touch the courts, Mrs Vanterpool-Nibbs gave legislators a laundry list of some other needs of both the Supreme and Commercial Courts.


From left: Governor John J. Rankin, CMG and CoI Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom. Many residents, talk show hosts and commentators continue to ask why the one-man United Kingdom-sponsored Commission of Inquiry (CoI) did not touch any matters under the Governor's portfolio.


request from the Courts

The Court Registrar stated the needs are:

1. Another computerised scoping contract (scoping relates to preparation of transcripts);

2. Continuation of the contract for the Consultant hired last year;

3. Hiring another SAO for the court reporting unit to increase the output from the unit. Additionally, the Commercial Court budget has a shortfall in Rent. This could create a financial hardship because there is a commitment to hiring two Judges; and

4. Replacement of the old vehicle.

While the Territorial and Opposition Member, Hon Carvin Malone stated that “the administration of justice is critical to the survival of the territory,” it is unclear what was approved of the requests made by the Court Registrar.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
White House Announces No Imminent Summit Between Trump and Putin
US and Qatar Warn EU of Trade and Energy Risks from Tough Climate Regulation
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
ScamBodia: The Chinese Fraud Empire Shielded by Cambodia’s Ruling Elite
French PM Suspends Macron’s Pension Reform Until After 2027 in Bid to Stabilize Government
Orange, Bouygues and Free Make €17 Billion Bid for Drahi’s Altice France Telecom Assets
Dutch Government Seizes Chipmaker After U.S. Presses for Removal of Chinese CEO
Bessent Accuses China of Dragging Down Global Economy Amid New Trade Curbs
×