Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

HoA seeking 'legal advice' if it can reprimand Governor

AG Baba F. Aziz told HoA he is yet to fully research subject

With uncertainty over whether the House of Assembly (HoA) of the British Virgin Islands can actually reprimand the sitting Governor, His Excellency Augustus J.U. Jaspert, by way of a motion brought by senior legislator Hon Julian Fraser RA, the House is now seeking legal advice on the way forward.


As such, the motion to reprimand Mr Jaspert for his handling of the BVI Airways Audit Report has now been placed on delay with Auditor General Hon Baba F. Aziz saying that while the House has the power to make resolutions, it may not be legally binding in the 'outside world'.


HoA has power to bring motion - AG

"I reckon that this House of Assembly has power of debate and of speech that is found in the privileges of the House and the power of speech and of debate is also to be found in our Standing Orders. That is why a member of this House is able to bring any motion in this House."

The AG continued, "So, in terms of a member bringing a motion in the House on any subject, I am not here to suggest that this House has no power to decide on any issues that is brought by way of a motion."

He said; however, any resolution makes as a starting point in the House is binding on its members, but in the outside world, it may not have legal implications.

"It may for record purposes be a wish or a decision of the House on its member, that is what I would say on what resolutions normally are," Mr Aziz said.


I need a legal input - Premier Fahie

The issues of the legality of motion were first raised in the House by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) who wanted to know if the motion to reprimand the Governor would be supported by the VI Constitution and the powers of the House before he would debate on the subject.

The Attorney General noted he will have to research the subject some more based on a request made by the Speaker Hon Julian Willock, who also indicated that he has since sought independent legal counsel on the matter from two legal authorities.

According to the Premier, "I need to hear input and opinion, a legal opinion... to know if the motion has the substance in terms of going ahead."

"Are we in an exercise where there is no consequences? Are we in an exercise we should not be in? Are we in an exercise that is just a talk shop?" Hon Fahie asked.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
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
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×