Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jun 23, 2025

“It is unjustifiable for the speaker to extend such an invitation to the governor designee”; speaker willock scolds governor on position of swearing in new governor

“It is unjustifiable for the speaker to extend such an invitation to the governor designee”; speaker willock scolds governor on position of swearing in new governor

In a confidential letter received by our newsroom, Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands Hon. Julian Willock penned another stern letter to outgoing Governor of the Virgin Islands, His Excellency Augutus JU Jaspert on the House of Assemble protocols for the swearing in of the incoming Governor.
In the letter Speaker Willock said: “I read in a news release dated 17th September, 2020 originating from the Governor’s office that the Virgin Islands will have a new Governor by January, 2021 in the name of John J Rankin. However, you will agree that the Governors are not members of the Legislative Branch, as per the constitution in Section 63 (1).”

The letter further went on to state, “Despite the fact that prior to 2017, past Governor designees were sworn into office at a ceremony convened at the House of Assembly, I wish to bring to your attention that, in accordance with well-established parliamentary practice, the Governor may not appear at the HOA, unless invited by the speaker to do so.

“In actuality the only time the Governor is invited by the speaker, as Head of the Legislative Branch to the HOA, is to deliver the Speech from the Throne, which is done as a courtesy extended by the Premier.”

As it pertains to the swearing in of the next Governor Mr. John J Rankin, speaker Willock said “Therefore, to avoid any confusion, I am requesting of the Deputy Governor’s Office to plan a place to swear in the new Governor, that is outside the chambers of the HOA, in keeping with the constitution of 2007 and precedent already set in 2017. In addition, it is unjustifiable for the speaker to extend such an invitation to the Governor designee, if the oath of office has not yet been effected, and the Governor designee is not yet the Governor.”

The letter which was also addressed to the Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon. Andrew A Fahie stated. “Hon. Premier, you will agree, it is also prudent to note that the Governor is not connected in any way to the legislature; however, as it relates to Members of the HOA, it is fitting and appropriate for them to be sworn into office at the HOA, because they are elected by the people and are therefore elected members of the HOA.

The Governor according to Section 63 (1) of the constitution, is not an elected member of the HOA, therefore swearing him in at the HOA will not be appropriate.”

As the territory of the Virgin Islands inquisitively anticipates the arrival of the new Governor of the Virgin Islands Mr. John J Rankin, it will be left to see where exactly the swearing in ceremony will take place.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
×