Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

UK attorney raises concern of no local involvement in CoI team

UK attorney raises concern of no local involvement in CoI team

Former United Kingdom Attorney General and attorney for the Executive branch of the Virgin Islands Government, Sir Charles Geoffrey Cox QC, has lamented the apparent lack of local involvement in the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which is allegedly aimed at improving governance in the British Overseas Territory.

Emphasising that he is not taking any dogmatic position, Sir Geoffrey addressed how perception arising from the way the Inquiry is being conducted can affect local confidence in it.

He told the lone Commissioner, retired British Judge Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom QC: “You've arrived on this island with a team from the United Kingdom. As far as we're aware, there is no local involvement in your Inquiry.

Sir Geoffrey was speaking during submissions on Day 5 of hearings by the Commission on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at the International Arbitration Centre on Wickham’s Cay II, Tortola. The transcript of the session became available on the Commission of Inquiry’s website on May 31, 2021.

Lone Commissioner, retired British Judge Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom QC, left, and Press Secretary Steven Chandler. The Commission of Inquiry team has no local involvement, which has raised concerns of transparency and fairness.

It was revealed in the CoI and reported by this news site that there was longtime tension between the governments of the VI and UK. Ex Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert was also accused by trying to bully the elected government led by Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) as well as the legislature.


‘Importance of transparency should not be underestimated’


The UK attorney also noted that there is an uneasiness surrounding the CoI in the VI, not necessarily because anyone has anything to hide but because there is a lack of transparency regarding the operation of the CoI.

“Your arrival has obviously been noted, to put it mildly, and it causes, inevitably within the island, a degree of concern, apprehension, consternation, speculation, and, frankly, worry, and that isn't because necessarily there is anybody - those who are worried are necessarily feeling they have anything to hide, but in the absence of precise knowledge about what the Inquiry is doing, for perfectly understandable reasons, it does cause a strain.”

Sir Geoffrey emphasised the importance of “local public confidence in the fairness, balance and independence of your Inquiry.”

He said the importance of transparency should not be underestimated and the Commission should take note that certain perceptions have grown based on how the Inquiry has been operating from inception.

It was also revealed in the CoI and reported by this news site that there was longtime tension between the governments of the VI and UK.

Former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who Commissioned the CoI, was also accused of trying to bully the elected government as well as the legislature.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
×