Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

‘No evidence of tax evasion or personal corruption’ presented to CoI- Sir Geoffrey

‘No evidence of tax evasion or personal corruption’ presented to CoI- Sir Geoffrey

UK Member of Parliament and attorney Sir Charles Geofffrey Cox, QC has labeled as inaccurate the reports in the British press and from fellow Members of Parliament that he is defending a ‘tax haven’ and that he is defending wrongdoing.
Sir Geoffrey being vilified for defending VI


Sir Geoffrey has been feeling the wrath of the British press, which has sought to smear his character because he has been defending the Virgin Islands in the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) called by controversial Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert.

The British press, in particular, reported that Sir Geoffrey has been making lots of money ‘on the side’, although legally, and has been neglecting his constituents. Additionally, the British press has suggested that Sir Geoffrey broke parliamentary rules.

According to a statement from Sir Geoffrey on November 10, 2021, he has practised as a Queen’s Counsel in the courts since well before his election in 2005 and that he is a leading barrister in England and makes no secret of his professional activities.

Sir Geoffrey Cox has been feeling the wrath of the British press, which has sought to smear his character because he has been defending the Virgin Islands in the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) called by controversial Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert.


‘No evidence of tax evasion or personal corruption’


The statement said Sir Geoffrey was asked to advise the Attorney General and the elected Government of the VI, a British Overseas Territory, in a public inquiry into whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty may have taken place in recent years in the Virgin Islands and to carry out a review of its systems of government in preparation for that Inquiry.

Prior to accepting the role, the statement continued, Sir Geoffrey sought and obtained the approval of the Office of the Attorney General of England and Wales that there would be no conflict of interest with his former role as Attorney General.”

“This is not to ‘defend’ a tax haven or, as has been inaccurately reported, to defend any wrongdoing but to assist the public inquiry in getting to the truth. No evidence of tax evasion or personal corruption has been adduced before the Inquiry and if it had been, that person would have been required to seek their own representation,” the statement clarified.

No neglect of constituents- Sir Geoffrey


UK news agencies, including ITV News, also sought to get public feedback from Britons and appeared to paint the picture that Sir Geoffrey was not properly representing his constituents.

The statement; however, pointed out that Sir Geoffrey regularly works 70-hour weeks and always ensures that his casework on behalf of his constituents is given primary importance and fully carried out.

“Throughout this period, he continued to have online meetings with organisations, businesses and individuals within the constituency and it made no difference where he was for that purpose since it was not practicable or desirable at that time to meet face to face.”

The statement asserted that Sir Geoffrey’s view is that it is up to the electors of Torridge and West Devon whether or not they vote for someone who is a senior and distinguished professional in his field and who still practices that profession.

“That has been the consistent view of the local Conservative Association and although at every election his political opponents have sought to make a prominent issue of his professional practice, it has so far been the consistent view of the voters of Torridge and West Devon. Sir Geoffrey is very content to abide by their decision.”

Voting remotely was ‘appropriate’


And, according to The Sun and The Guardian on November 10, 2021, Sir Geoffrey allegedly took advantage of lockdown rules to vote remotely as a parliamentarian so he could stay in the VI.

“As to the use of the proxy, prior to his visit to the BVI, he consulted the Chief Whip specifically on this issue and was advised that it was appropriate,” the statement rebutted.

As for the allegation that he breached the parliamentary code of conduct on one occasion, September 14, 2021, by being in his office while participating in an online hearing in the public inquiry and voting in the House of Commons, the statement said Sir Geoffrey understands that the matter has been referred to the Parliamentary Commissioner and he will fully cooperate with her investigation.

“He does not believe that he breached the rules but will of course accept the judgment of the Parliamentary Commissioner or of the Committee on the matter.”

Sir Geoffrey Cox, while representing the VI Government during the CoI, suggested that it was only called because then governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert (in photo) was at loggerheads with Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie.


Sir Geoffrey exposes CoI


Meanwhile, Sir Geoffrey, while representing the VI Government during the CoI, appeared to argue that the CoI was only called because Mr Jaspert was at loggerheads with Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

He also accused Governors of sitting in Cabinet over the years and doing nothing to tackle problems that have now been highlighted by the CoI.

Additionally, Sir Geoffrey appeared to argue that the Auditor General was also being unlawfully pressured to prepare reports for the CoI.

He is set to cross-examine Governor John J. Rankin, who has said he will need legal representation when facing Sir Geoffrey.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
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
×