Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

‘Undemocratic & secretive’ VI CoI blasted in regional media report

‘Undemocratic & secretive’ VI CoI blasted in regional media report

The secretively launched Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry (CoI) announced by embattled Ex-Governor, Augustus J.U. Jaspert continues to face widespread criticism from across the region regarding how it was established.

CARICOM in a statement on February 26, 2021, said “the Heads of Government are dismayed at the manner in which the CoI was established with no consultation, or prior communication, between the UK government and the duly-elected government of the British Virgin Islands.”

And now, a media report out of Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) has shone the spotlight on the VI CoI as compared to the TCI, where the 2008-2009 inquiry launch there was widely supported and done in consultation with the then government, ahead of its launch, as compared to the VI inquiry.

Caribbean News Global (CNG) a regional publication in a March 26, 2021 article entitled 'British Commission of Inquiry in BVI bears similarities to Turks and Caicos except one,' said while there are similarities between the ongoing VI CoI and the one that took place in the TCI, like Caricom, the publication pointed out glaring concerns with how the VI CoI was established.

CARICOM in a statement on February 26, 2021, said “the Heads of Government are dismayed at the manner in which the CoI was established with no consultation, or prior communication, between the UK government and the duly-elected government of the British Virgin Islands,” CARICOM said.


TCI CoI had support before launch


“The Commission of Inquiry launched in the TCI had the support of a wide cross-section of the islands business and civil society and included the opposition party, but in the BVI no local support existed for the inquiry before the announcement,” the CNG report detailed.

VI Premier, Andrew A. Fahie on January 19, 2021, informed that while his administration had no objection to a transparent CoI, he said the embattled Ex-Governor Jaspert had always told local Cabinet Members, that due process must be followed ahead of any inquiry.

He said the ex-Governor advised “that before a Commission of Inquiry can be convened, that to ensure due process, all Government institutions established to ensure accountability, transparency and Good Governance must be allowed to function and produce their reports,” however, the controversial Mr Jaspert may not have followed his recommendations.

However, the controversial Mr Jaspert did not follow his recommendations and sought to announce the CoI in a dramatic manner, allegedly in collusion with the UK press; without informing the VI government ahead of that announcement.

VI Premier, Andrew A. Fahie on January 19, 2021, informed that while his administration had no objection to a transparent CoI, he said the embattled Ex-Governor Jaspert had always told local Cabinet Members, that due process must be followed ahead of any inquiry.


No consultations in VI


Further, the regional CNG publication also pointed out that the sole UK selected Commissioner, Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom; a UK national, was also appointed without local consultation, in a similar nature to the launch of the local inquiry.

“In TCI, the outcry and calls for a commission of inquiry were very loud and clear from all segments of society including many of The People’s National Party (PNP) supporters and former officers. Visits were made to the territory by the foreign affairs committee, which called for the inquiry into the TCI; compared to a sole governor who had a history of a tense relationship with local officials who took issue with his personality,” the report said.

Former TCI Premier Michael E. Misick whose government was ousted by the 2008-2009 TCI inquiry said the UK government has shown a pattern of going after black Caribbean leaders who stand up to them. He said like Premier Fahie, those leaders are usually pro-independence and want a self-determined future for their people.


UK targeting strong C’bean Leaders – Misick


The publication characterized Premier Fahie as a no-nonsense leader who is still cooperating with the CoI, understands the wishes of his people and was at the forefront in the march against British imposition of open registers of companies in the BVI.

Former TCI Premier Michael E. Misick whose government was ousted and the constitution suspended by the 2008-2009 TCI inquiry said the UK government has shown a pattern of going after black Caribbean leaders who stand up to them.

Misick in a Monday, February 15, 2021, interview with 284 Media said like Premier Fahie, the leaders who are usually targeted by the UK are pro-independence and want a self-determined future for their people.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×