Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Jul 16, 2025

Hon Vanterpool points out hypocrisy in UK being angry with Putin

Hon Vanterpool points out hypocrisy in UK being angry with Putin

The United Kingdom (UK) has been called out for its hypocrisy in condemning the actions of Russia and its President Vladimir V. Putin regarding the Ukraine invasion while threatening to recolonise the Virgin Islands (VI) by suspending the local constitution and impose direct rule.

Fourth District Representative Hon Mark H. Vanterpool, speaking at the continuation of the Ninth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly, on December 20, 2022, said the UK is angry at Putin for invading the Ukraine, but is committing a similar act to the Virgin Islands in principle.

‘It’s the same principle’- Hon Vanterpool

Hon Vanterpool also said the VI should not even have to beg the UK to grant it self-determination.
“But Mr Speaker, you know it is the same principle, that Putin believes he knows better for the Ukrainians than the Ukrainians know for themselves?

“The United Kingdom believe they know better for us than we know for ourselves. It’s the same principle,” Hon Vanterpool argued.

He urged the VI people to look out for themselves and believe in themselves, as the territory has done well on its own.


Hon Vanterpool’s statements also brought out the hypocrisy in Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, who had said his heart goes out to the people of the Ukraine in his Christmas message on December 12, 2022.

Governor Rankin’s hypocrisy exposed

Hon Vanterpool’s statements also brought out the hypocrisy in Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, who had said his heart goes out to the people of the Ukraine in his Christmas message on December 12, 2022.

“Events at home here in the Virgin Islands have affected us all and we, like every other country, have felt the impacts of what is happening in the wider world, not least the shock of the atrocities we are witnessing from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, together with the economic fallout which is impacting each and every one of us.

“While my responsibility as Governor are for the people of the BVI, my prayers are also with the people of Ukraine at this time of their suffering,” Governor Rankin had stated.

Hon Vanterpool had also labeled the unelected governor as the ‘Pharoah of the Virgin Islands’.

‘Let my people go’

Turning to Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Hon Vanterpool told him to get some “faith in his backbone” and ask the “Pharoah” to let his people go.

Quoting assassinated freedom fighter Martin Luther King Jr, Hon Vanterpool said the time is always right to do what is right and that “darkness cannot drive out injustice” and “injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.”

According to Hon Vanterpool, Barbados Prime Minister Mia A. Mottley said it is time to pivot, “so let us pivot in the right direction, Mr Speaker, and do what is right. We are not any worse than anyone else.

“I want to ask it of the United Kingdom, I want to ask it of the Governor. I want him to tell the people in the United Kingdom. I want him to tell the Minister for Overseas Territories and I want the Minister of Overseas Territories to tell the Foreign Minister and I want the Foreign Minister to tell the Premier [Prime Minister], let my people go.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Dimon Warns on Fed Independence as Trump Administration Eyes Powell’s Succession
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Jeff Bezos Considers Purchasing Condé Nast as a Wedding Gift
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
×