‘We are under direct British rule right now’- Hon Vanterpool

Although the United Kingdom (UK) opted against suspending the [British] Virgin Islands Constitution and imposing direct rule as recommended in the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report, many believe that the UK is still enjoying a form of direct rule.

This is also the strong opinion of backbencher in the National Unity Government of Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4).

“They say we are not under British rule but we are under direct British rule right now, I don’t care what anybody tell me,” Hon Vanterpool stated during the debate of the motion to withdraw the controversial Register of Interests Act, 2022, during the Fourth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola on July 14, 2022.

Governor John J. Rankin, CMG. According to the veteran legislator, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool, if the Governor isn’t satisfied with anything that Cabinet or the House of Assembly (HoA) does he has a right to institute direct rule right away without even asking anyone.

The Governor ‘run things’- Hon Vanterpool

According to the veteran legislator, if the Governor isn’t satisfied with anything that Cabinet or the House of Assembly (HoA) does he has a right to institute direct rule right away without even asking anyone.

“I think I went to school, not the brightest school maybe, but I went to school. I can read and write.

“That says that he’s in charge, he run things. The public needs to know that and if the public likes it fine but I will not stand and take it like that, we have to speak up,” Hon Vanterpool stated.

UK bullying VI?

Many have argued that the Order in Council on reserve to suspend the local constitution and impose direct rule if the UK is not satisfied with the progress of the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report, is like holding a gun to one’s head.

This has been termed as “bullying” and a total disrespect of the democratic rights of the Virgin Islands people.

“This thing about having a gun to our heads and then we going to talk about a constitutional review with a gun to our head?” Hon Vanterpool questioned.

He also called for the CoI report to be debated in the House of Assembly (HoA) for the purpose of transparency and democracy.