Governor of Caribbean tax haven the British Virgin Islands orders probe led by UK judge into allegations of corruption, misuse of millions of dollars of public money and a ‘climate of fear’ as Dominic Raab says the situation is ‘deeply troubling’
The Governor a British Overseas Territory and tax haven has ordered an official probe into allegations of widespread corruption and political interference including the misuse of millions of dollars of taxpayers money.
A British High Court judge will oversee the independent commission of inquiry into the state of governance in the British Virgin Islands, Dominic Raab told MPs.
Augustus Jaspert, the Islands’ UK-appointed governor, took the drastic step of ordering the inquiry today, the first time such an investigation has taken place in a British territory in a decade.
The British Virgin Islands is a parliamentary democracy and is self-governing. But the governor, appointed by the Queen, has oversight of external affairs, defence, internal security, administration of the courts, the public service, elections, and disaster preparedness under its constitution.
In a written Commons statement, Mr Raab said he had agreed to a request from Mr Jaspert – a civil servant who used to work for David Cameron – that Sir Gary Hickinbottom will lead an independent commission of inquiry into the allegations.
Mr Jaspert told islanders today the probe would look into ‘whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty in relation to officials – elected, statutory or public – may have taken place in recent years.’
The governor of the British Virgin Islands has ordered an official probe into allegations of widespread corruption and political interference, including the misuse of millions of dollars of taxpayers money
A British High Court judge will oversee the independent commission of inquiry into the state of governance, Dominic Raab told MPs
Governor Gus Jaspert told islanders today the probe would look into ‘ whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty in relation to officials – elected, statutory or public – may have taken place in recent years’
Its report, due in six months’ time, could recommend criminal proceedings.
‘The UK is extremely concerned about the state of good governance in the British Virgin Islands,’ Mr Raab said.
‘A consistent and deeply troubling array of concerns have been put to the governor by local institutions and the community.
‘The commission will inquire into whether there is information to substantiate claims that corruption, abuse of position and serious impropriety has taken place in public office in recent years, and it will make recommendations.’
Mr Raab said the allegations included:
- Political interference and coercion in relation to appointments in the public service and statutory boards, the criminal justice system and individual criminal cases;
- Claims that people in public service, media and community leaders have been intimidated to such a degree that they describe living in a climate of fear;
- Allegations that funds set aside for struggling families during the pandemic may have been re-allocated to political allies;
- Concerns around spending on Government contracts without any proper procurement process;
- Misuse of taxpayers’ money on infrastructure and transport projects.
He added: ‘Against this backdrop, we are also concerned about the potential vulnerability of the islands to serious organised crime.
‘The scale of this was made clear in November 2020, with the seizure of more than two tonnes of cocaine, worth just under £190million.’
The drugs haul was discovered at the home of a BVI police officer, who was arrested along with his brother. It was the largest haul ever discovered in the islands.