London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, May 31, 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

0:00
0:00
Close
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
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
Labour MPs Urge Chancellor to Tax Wealthy Over Cutting Welfare
Publication of UK Child Poverty Strategy Delayed Until Autumn
France Detains UK Fishing Vessel Amid Post-Brexit Tensions
Calls Grow to Resume Syrian Asylum Claims in UK
Nigel Farage Pledges to Reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
Boris and Carrie Johnson Welcome Daughter Poppy
×