Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jun 23, 2025

‘Restrictive’ language in amended ROI Act a concern for governor

‘Restrictive’ language in amended ROI Act a concern for governor

Governor John Rankin has expressed some concerns with the language of the amended Register of Interest Act, and believes it may be contrary to the new culture of transparency and accountability the government is trying to foster in the territory.
In a press conference earlier today, the Governor said the House of Assembly (HOA) has recently passed the bill with some amendments and said he only received the text of those amendments earlier this morning and he needs to study them and their impact in greater detail.

Rankin clarified there was nothing untoward about receiving the copy of the bill this late as it takes a while for the clerks to write the bill and have it approved by the Attorney General.

“I am concerned that the effect of the amendment is to significantly restrict public access to the register and if that is so, it runs counter to the new culture of transparency and accountability towards which we are working following the Commission of Inquiry and in line with commitments made in the framework document. The bill has not yet formally come to me for assent, and I want to consider the language carefully,” the Governor said.

Rankin further said he must consider the changes made and the impact they might have.

“If I have concerns on them, I discuss them with the Premier and others as necessary so let me not go too far ahead. My concern is this: there are different types of public registers. In the United Kingdom for example, if any journalist or member of the public wishes to see the register, find out what the interest registered for Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss or indeed Prime Minister Johnson; they can find them available and copy them and publish them,” Rankin said.

“My initial understanding of the amendments that were made in the House of Assembly is that it would be a lot more restrictive; that someone could go look at the register but then what they could do with that information would be more restrictive. So, that is for me to look at and study and if I have believed some further steps are required in that matter in terms of breach of transparency, then, of course, I will discuss it with the Premier,” the Governor said.
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
×