London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Oct 23, 2025

AG Dawn J. Smith subjected to 'sexist' line of questioning @ CoI

AG Dawn J. Smith subjected to 'sexist' line of questioning @ CoI

It was a proud and history-making day in the Virgin Islands (VI) on Thursday, October 1, 2020, when for the first time in 21 years an indigenous Virgin Islander, Hon Dawn J. Smith, was sworn in to the post of Attorney General (AG).

That proud and qualified daughter of the Virgin Islands soil is allegedly now being disrespected by the United Kingdom-sponsored Commission of Inquiry.

As part of opening questioning from Council to the Commissioner, Bilal Rawat, on Day 10 of the CoI hearing on June 14, 2021, Hon Smith was told to give a "short summary" of her professional background before becoming AG, a request that has been frowned upon by members of the public.

Mr Rawat, whose participation in the inquiry has now come under heavy scrutiny over whether he may be illegally practising law in the territory, having not been admitted to the BVI Bar, had asked that the AG tell Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom about her career background.

“Can I begin by asking you just to give the Commissioner a short summary of your professional background before you assume the position of Attorney General to the British Virgin Islands,” he said.

AG Smith’s response after a noticeable pause to the alleged sexist line of questioning was to repeat in a seemingly sarcastic tone, "a short summary of a long life,” before complying.

Mr Balil Rawat, whose participation in the inquiry has now come under heavy scrutiny over whether he may be illegally practicing law in the territory, without having been admitted to the BVI bar, had asked that the AG tell Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom, about her career background.


Humiliating & alleged sexist


One social commentator speaking to your newsroom on condition of anonymity has called the questioning by Mr Rawat to be out of line, humiliating, and sexist towards a respected professional and highly accomplished local woman like Hon Smith.

In essence, Mrs Smith- a career legal professional- was asked to explain her entire career, in a 'short summary' on what she did before she got the job as Attorney General, while under scrutiny from a panel of men at the live hearing.

One legal professional, speaking to our news centre, said Rawat’s questioning of “Tell the commissioner what you did before you got the job, but keep it short,” comes across as condescending, sexist, and disrespectful since that information is easily accessible.

Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) Honourable Julian Willock, left, has come to the representation of the legislature and its Honourable Members, following alleged disrespectful treatment meted out by the sole Commissioner of the Inquiry into governance in the Virgin Islands, Gary R. Hickinbottom, right.


‘Highhandedness’ – HoA Speaker


Addressing the overall ‘disrespect’ from the Commissioner and the CoI, House Speaker Hon Julian Willock had yesterday, June 14, 2021, accused Commissioner Hickinbottom of ‘highhandedness’ & having no regard for the HoA.

"Take for example; the one-man commissioner had the audacity to ask the fifteen grown adult members of the Legislature to write him an essay on what is good governance?” Hon Willock told the opening of the Virgin Islands Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Members Training on, Monday, June 14, 2021.

According to public credentials on the BVI Government website, Honourable Smith holds a Certificate of Legal Education from Norman Manley Law School in Kingston, Jamaica; Bachelor of Laws, Upper Second Class Honours from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados; and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, cum laude with Highest Honours in Sociology-Anthropology from Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont, USA.

She previously served as General Counsel at the Financial Services Commission (FSC) from 2013 to 2020 where she developed corporate policies, procedures and programmes; and was the key legal advisor to the FSC and the BVI International Arbitration Centre to ensure compliance with internal policies and applicable laws.

Private Attorney & acting PS


Hon Smith was also seconded to Premier's Office as Acting Permanent Secretary from 2017 to 2019, where she handled the strategic management and administration of the Premier's Office including supervising and coordinating the work of departments under the Premier’s portfolio; preparing and managing the ministry's annual budget; developing and implementing strategic plans; and serving as an Ex-Officio member on statutory boards and organisations such as the BVI Tourist Board and BVI Finance.

Ms Smith also has prior professional experience as Attorney at Conyers Dill & Pearman, from 2009 to 2012 and again from 2002 to 2006; as Director, London Office, 2006 to 2009; and as Attorney at O'Neal Webster O'Neal Myers Fletcher & Gordon, 1997 to 2001.

Her current professional credentials and memberships include Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC), Arbitral Women, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Supreme Court of England & Wales (non-practising), Notary Public for the Territory of the Virgin Islands, BVI Bar Association and Barrister, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Virgin Islands).

Ms Smith has also made various community contributions to the Intellectual Property Review Committee, BVI Reading Council, the Public Service Commission, the Court Review Committee and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, amongst many others.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
US Administration Under President Donald Trump Reportedly Lifts Ban on Ukraine’s Use of Storm Shadow Missiles Against Russia
‘Frightening’ First Night in Prison for Sarkozy: Inmates Riot and Shout ‘Little Nicolas’
White House Announces No Imminent Summit Between Trump and Putin
US and Qatar Warn EU of Trade and Energy Risks from Tough Climate Regulation
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
ScamBodia: The Chinese Fraud Empire Shielded by Cambodia’s Ruling Elite
French PM Suspends Macron’s Pension Reform Until After 2027 in Bid to Stabilize Government
Orange, Bouygues and Free Make €17 Billion Bid for Drahi’s Altice France Telecom Assets
×