London Daily

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

UK taxpayers to ‘fully fund’ questionable Commission of Inquiry

UK taxpayers to ‘fully fund’ questionable Commission of Inquiry

With the public being made aware that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) called by the controversial ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert was likely called because of the duly elected Government of the Virgin Islands resisting his efforts to undermine it, and a strained relationship having occurred as a result, British taxpayers will not be impressed that this CoI being called on mostly rumours and unfounded allegations will be “fully funded” by them.

The former Governor, Mr Jaspert, did not state who was going to fund the CoI despite many asking; however, it has been revealed on the website, bvi.public-inquiry.uk, set up for the purpose of the CoI.

Under the section ‘Frequently Asked Questions’, there is a question: ‘How much is this costing BVI?’

“This CoI is fully funded by the UK Government. It comes at no cost to BVI,” the website stated.

The Terms of Reference of the CoI requires the Commissioner to report his findings to the Governor within six months, which is by July 2021.

The Commissioner will be supported by a team, including the Secretary to the Inquiry, Mr Steven Chandler, who has already been appointed and in the VI, as well as the Solicitor and Counsel to the Commission, who are yet to be appointed.

It is unclear at this stage how much the CoI will cost British taxpayers, who are already reeling from a global pandemic that has been out of control in the UK.


Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom, left, will be supported by a team, including the Secretary to the Inquiry, Mr Steven Chandler, right, who has already been appointed, as well as the Solicitor and Counsel to the Commission, who are yet to be appointed.

VI taxpayers spared unnecessary burden


It should be noted that the Section 18 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, as amended, allows the Governor to state what payments should be made to the Commissioner, Secretary or any other person employed in or about any such commission and that "such sums, so directed to be paid, shall be paid by the Financial Secretary out of the ordinary cash balance in the Treasury of the Territory."

VI taxpayers will at least be relieved in knowing they will not be unnecessarily burdened by a highly questionable Commission of Inquiry, which has already smeared the territory's image on the international scene.


It has been revealed on the website set up for the Commission of Inquiry into Governance in the Virgin Islands that the British taxpayers will fully fund the CoI.

What is the purpose of the Commission of Inquiry?


According to the CoI website, as set out in the Terms of Reference, the purpose is to establish whether there is evidence of corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty that has taken place in public office in recent years, and if so what conditions allowed this to happen.

“The Commission of Inquiry is not a court, therefore it will not make findings of criminality,” the website stated.

In encouraging persons to come forward with information, the website said information that is submitted to the Commission should be submitted in one’s own name; however, “if you wish your information to remain confidential or wish to maintain anonymity you should make that clear.”

It also said the Commission of Inquiry Act states that any evidence given to the Commissioner cannot be used in subsequent proceedings. “That means, that any evidence you submit cannot be used in court or in a criminal investigation at a later date.”

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
×