Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jun 05, 2025

Dr Smith said Jaspert asked him about corruption before becoming VI Governor

Dr Smith said Jaspert asked him about corruption before becoming VI Governor

Former Premier Dr D. Orlando Smith says a precursor to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in the Virgin Islands (VI) came as a result of people in the territory continuously complaining to the British government about corruption in the VI government.

Speaking on an episode of Talking Points on ZBVI 780AM on February 6, 2023, Dr Smith added that even before becoming Governor of the Virgin Islands, Mr Augustus J.U. Jaspert had asked him about alleged corruption in the VI.

“The last governor, I met him before he came here and the first question he asked me is 'What about this corruption the BVI?'

“I was taken aback because I didn’t know of any corruption, I was not aware of any corruption in the party… which I was a part of, which I was the leader,” he added.

Former Premier Dr D. Orlando Smith, right, on Talking Points on February 6, 2023.

UK saw fire where there was smoke - Dr Smith

Dr Smith added that the British Government saw the VI as a case that where there is smoke there is fire and hence the CoI came.

He also pointed to the rocky relationship between the then Governor Jaspert and the then government led by ex-Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) as another reason why the CoI came about.

Dr Smith; however, added that during his tenure and under the system of Government in the VI, to prevent instances like a CoI there were ample opportunities for discourse between the Governor and elected government.

He said the Governor and Premier would have a meeting every Thursday, in addition to the Governor sitting in Cabinet.

“That is something that should have been happening more often, if this is the position… here’s an opportunity for discussion,” he added.

Jaspert called CoI

The CoI was called by Mr Jaspert and announced to the VI government and public days before Mr Jaspert exited the Virgin Islands.

CoI Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom was also hand-picked by Mr Jaspert, which led many to question the undemocratic process the CoI was established and executed.

The CoI failed to unearth corruption but did reveal there was a need for reform for better accountability, transparency, and fairness.

Mr Hickinbottom subsequently recommended, among other things, a suspension of the VI constitution and imposition of direct rule by the UK.

This recommendation was rejected by the Virgin Islands people, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, CARICOM, USVI Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr and the United Nations.

Although suspending the constitution has been held back, there is an Order in Council in the UK Parliament that can be activated to impose direct rule if the Virgin Islands fails to implement recommendations made by a one-man commissioner.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
Hungary Partners with China to Boost Electric Vehicle Production
‘Vibe Coding’ Emerges as the New DIY Trend
AI Pioneer Yoshua Bengio Warns Models Can Deceive Users
Big Four Firms Rush to Create AI Auditing Systems
Musk’s xAI Pursues $113 Billion Valuation in New Share Sale
Walmart Increases Revenue Despite Shrinking Workforce
Hims & Hers Plans UK and EU Launch of Replica Obesity Drugs
Toyota to Acquire Supplier in $33 Billion Buyout
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
×