Governor orders criminal investigations into government
Governor John Rankin has announced that he instructed the Commissioner of Police to undertake several criminal investigations as recommended in the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report, including investigations into the Premier’s Office.
In a recent press statement, Governor Rankin said there is now an urgent and decisive move forward and in line with his responsibilities under the constitution.
He noted the investigations will encompass several departments and projects in the government.
“[There will be] a criminal investigation into the conduct of the Premier’s Office (under the previous Premier) in obstructing the Director of the Internal Audit Department in respect of her audit of the COVID-19 Assistance Programmes; a criminal investigation and/or investigations into the recovery of the public money expended on the Sea Cow Bay Harbour Development project and the Virgin Islands Neighbourhood Partnership project,” the Governor said.
“[There will also be] a criminal investigation and/or investigations into the recovery of the public money expended in the disposal of Parcel 310 of Block 2938B, Road Town Registration Section and an investigation into possible corruption within HM Customs,” Rankin added.
The governor noted criminal investigations are already underway in relation to the Elmore Stoutt High School Perimeter Wall project and the BVI Airways project.
“Given the need to respect the integrity of the investigative process, I will not be making media comments on the content of the investigations as they take place. But I am determined that investigations should be held in line with the Commission of Inquiry Report and that any public official who has engaged in criminal wrongdoing should be brought to justice and held accountable under the law,” Rankin said.
“I am also determined that where possible, public funds that may have been misused in relation to the projects under investigation should be recovered and used instead for programmes that benefit all members of our community,” he added.
He noted the investigations will encompass several departments and projects in the government.
“[There will be] a criminal investigation into the conduct of the Premier’s Office (under the previous Premier) in obstructing the Director of the Internal Audit Department in respect of her audit of the COVID-19 Assistance Programmes; a criminal investigation and/or investigations into the recovery of the public money expended on the Sea Cow Bay Harbour Development project and the Virgin Islands Neighbourhood Partnership project,” the Governor said.
“[There will also be] a criminal investigation and/or investigations into the recovery of the public money expended in the disposal of Parcel 310 of Block 2938B, Road Town Registration Section and an investigation into possible corruption within HM Customs,” Rankin added.
The governor noted criminal investigations are already underway in relation to the Elmore Stoutt High School Perimeter Wall project and the BVI Airways project.
“Given the need to respect the integrity of the investigative process, I will not be making media comments on the content of the investigations as they take place. But I am determined that investigations should be held in line with the Commission of Inquiry Report and that any public official who has engaged in criminal wrongdoing should be brought to justice and held accountable under the law,” Rankin said.
“I am also determined that where possible, public funds that may have been misused in relation to the projects under investigation should be recovered and used instead for programmes that benefit all members of our community,” he added.
