Governor Jaspert was at the time explaining to members of the media on Friday, November 1, 2019, some of the reasons why residents seek his office for recourse.

“We get a lot of issues relating to prison matters, appeals from prisoners in various ways and those things come to me to consider and depending on what the issue is I draw advice from the parole board or various committees of support,” he said.

“I pick up a lot of gossip. In the BVI, for a small population, I think there is probably more rumours than people,” he said with a hearty chuckle.

His Excellency said many of the other complaints relate to the type of service that residents receive, “in terms of permits and licenses and various things.”

Jaspert wants integrity commission

Meanwhile, Governor Jaspert said it is essential that institutions such as the Integrity Commission are implemented, as well as a ministerial code.

He explained that the Deputy Governor’s Office mapped out the other UK Overseas Territories (OT’s) and the Virgin Islands lack in the areas as mentioned earlier.

“This is why we are keen to bring forward the proposals that will bring us up to the same level, to have a ministerial code, to have an Integrity Commission so that it’s not the Governor who has the pressure, that there is an independent body who can go an investigate and properly draw up the conclusions around it.”

He noted, “But for me, the important thing is the institutions working correctly, and the ministries are able to respond quickly.”