Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Apr 03, 2026

My blood ran cold! Flax-Charles horrified at disturbing VINO cartoon

My blood ran cold! Flax-Charles horrified at disturbing VINO cartoon

Territorial At-large Representative and Junior Minister for Trade, Shereen Flax-Charles recounted her horror after first viewing a despicable cartoon that was run on the Julian Willock-owned Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) website.

The offensive cartoon, which was quickly pulled after overwhelming negative feedback from the community, attacked government critic, Cindy Rosan, portraying her as mentally disturbed, among other things.

The website later argued that the cartoon was misinterpreted and noted that it was the first time one of its many offensive cartoons was ever pulled.

“Today I was very disturbed as a woman. Today I was disturbed by a publication on a news site. My blood ran cold when I saw that cartoon. A negative aura came over my soul, came over my whole being,” Flax-Charles recounted in the House of Assembly yesterday.

She said the stigma of mental illness is present in the entire Virgin Islands and elsewhere.

The legislator expressed that she was embarrassed at the insensitivity displayed in the cartoon and said she was bombarded by many calls and messages after it appeared on the website.

“Misogyny is alive, well, kicking and very rampant in the BVI,” she argued.

Bringing the issue even closer to home, Flax-Charles said she too had been stigmatised many times for speaking up.

“I have been called crazy by members of this very House because I have spoken up,” she stated.

Legislator breaks ranks with party


Meanwhile, Flax-Charles registered her disapproval of Premier Andrew Fahie’s efforts to prevent House Speaker Julian Willock from paying legal costs in a failed injunction he filed.

“This is not the time to convolute due process with tactics and machinations,” she argued.

Thus far, she is the first and only government legislator to break ranks with the Premier’s position to have taxpayers shoulder the burden of the Speaker’s court costs.

She said the overwhelming voice of the people suggested that the move was not what was desired.

“The will of the people is loud. [It’s] so resounding, the nation is shaking,” Flax-Charles said while noting that her conscience is clear.

She further argued that while she’s a team player, she expects her decisions on issues that will come to the fore to be respected.

“Conformity is doing what you’re told regardless of what is right, morality is doing what is right regardless of what you were told,” the legislator stated.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Nigel Farage Declines Invitation to UK Conservative Conference Led by Liz Truss
Trump Warns Allies to Take Responsibility as Rift Deepens with UK and France Over Iran Conflict
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Urges Allies to Secure Their Own Oil Supplies as Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
Eli Lilly Seeks UK Pricing Deal to Unlock Renewed Pharmaceutical Investment
Three Arrested in UK After Massive Cocaine Haul Discovered Hidden in Banana Shipment
UK Fuel Prices Poised for Further Surge Amid Global Energy Pressures
Apple Subsidiary Penalized by UK Authorities for Breach of Moscow Sanctions
Western Allies Intensify Coordinated Sanctions Strategy Against Russia
UK Lawmakers Face Criticism Over Renewed Push for Social Media Restrictions
Starmer Signals UK Crackdown on Addictive Social Media Features
Rising Costs Push One in Five UK Hospitality Businesses to the Brink of Closure
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Murder After Car Strikes Pedestrians in UK, Injuring Seven
Escalating Conflict Involving Iran Tightens Fiscal Pressures and Highlights UK Economic Vulnerabilities
UK Moves to Confront Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Operating in Its Waters
×