Another Member of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands (VI) has expressed distaste at the lack of respect being shown towards them by immigration officers and other personnel when entering and leaving the territory via the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.

It was during the Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands on September 2, 2019, that Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull had shared that he was somewhat embarrassed after being randomly selected for airport security search at the Terrance B. Lettsome Airport on Beef Island while departing the territory recently on official government business and noted that he was going to bring the matter to the Committee of Privileges.

And now Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Julian Willock has cited the issue as one of “a cultural lack of respect” for members of the HoA.

According to Willock, he has been a victim of this ‘lack of respect’.

‘Not asking any special privileges’

Speaking on the “Big Story” with host Cathy O. Richards on JTV on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, Hon Willock recalled recently arriving at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport, along with a senior member of the judiciary, and witnessed an officer at the airport walking the member of the judiciary to the front of the line while he was made to tow.

In his interview with Ms Richards, Hon Willock said, “One of the things that I have a pet peeve with is ensuring that members are respected. They are elected, their office should be given that respect.”

Fingering what he sees as a possible root cause, Hon Willock said there is a cultural lack of respect for Members of the House of Assembly, “Whether it’s the thirteen elected or myself as Speaker or the Attorney General, the fifteen of us.”

According to Hon Willock, that is something he wants to see corrected, “that members are given due respect, that members are treated with the same courtesies that are extended to the judiciary branch, same courtesies that are being extended to the Governor, our Members are elected, they belong to the legislative branch of government and they must be treated as such.

“Now we are not asking any special privilege. All I am saying is that members must be respected, their Office of Speaker, the Office of Opposition Leader, the Office of the Premier, the Member for the Fourth District, the Member for the Sixth [District] all should be treated with courtesy and respect,” he insisted.

Hon Willock also alluded to instances of HoA Members appearing at public events and not being given the necessary courtesies