While on the campaign trail days before the election, Fahie said, if elected, a VIP government would give the PAC more powers to the extent that it (the PAC) could, in a sense, override Cabinet decisions if it determines that those decisions reflect poor or ‘questionable’ governance.

When BVI News contacted the Premier on Monday and asked whether his position remains the same on the subject matter, he responded: “Cabinet decisions were made public as a result of what I was campaigning on even before elections, which is good and makes all decisions public for all to see and deliberate”.

No direct answer

When further asked to expressly state whether he plans to keep his promise to give the PAC greater powers, Premier Fahie still did not give a direct answer.

He said: “As Premier, it is not within my remit to decide how PAC will handle any matter. The transparent action of making Cabinet decisions public was done. Hence the public can decide any course of action now that they are fully informed of Cabinet decisions. At that time of the campaign, this was not the case. I am pleased that it is the case now because it bolsters all the tenants of good governance.”

BVI News sought further clarity by sending the Premier his direct campaign statement on the matter then again asked if plans to keep the promise.

The Premier then replied: “In a meeting. I have answered all that already.”

What Fahie actually said

Below is Fahie’s exact statement made on Thursday, February 21, 2019 exactly four days before the 2019 General Elections:

He made the promise against the backdrop of the challenges he claims to have faced when he served as Chairman of the PAC - a post held by whoever sits as Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.

The PAC is a body put in place to monitor government and its handling of the public’s purse and accounts.