In a recent audio message received by our newsroom. Former Police Prosecutor and award winning calypsonian Mr. Jefferson J. Knight, popularly known as “Knight Rider” blasted elected officials for what he calls “ensuing violence” and a war on the Governor of the Virgin Islands.
The almost 8-minute-long audio heard the outwardly frustrated BVI Resident speaking on a number of issues including the continuous disrespect being displayed to the Queens Representative by the present administration, lack of support for law enforcement, governments first 18 (eighteen) months in office and their conduct in the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands. He said:
“If the members of the HOA in the BVI, do not stop harassing the Governor and put people to demonstrate civil disobedience to the Governor. I will make a phone call to the United Kingdom and ask for the British Scotland Yard to conduct a serious investigation. When you are going to set up people to be violent, to be disrespectful to Her Majesty’s representatives in the BVI and there is evidence he did absolutely nothing worth, he is just a diplomat in the BVI.”
Knight again threatened to write to the UK requesting a full investigation into conduct of officials and the presence of Scotland Yard in the BVI, saying:
“Boss is time for the British Scotland Yard to come down here, honestly. Let me call UK Queens Counsel. It’s time for the British Scotland Yard to look into these people because come on, you all call can’t be serious.”
The former law enforcement officer also spoke strongly about the lack of support being given to the RVIPF and advocated for them by saying:
“They not going into the house telling us what they are going to do for us, what they are going to do for the police force, if they will equip the police force, crime is on the increase. Man using guns, not afraid to use it, to kill people in broad daylight, to just gun down people in their house. You are not telling me what you’re going to do to increase police patrol, to give people more equipment, better equipment, salary, better working conditions.”
Knight directly responded to elected officials on their representation, and conduct in the House of Assembly and for calling on the Governor to be reprimanded in the HOA. He said:
“All you want to do is go in the house and talk about the Governor. The Governor, the Governor, the Governor. I vote for the Governor? Did I vote for the Governor? We voted for people, 5 X I put at the Althea Scatliffe School. And our representatives in the HOA talking foolishness about reprimand the Governor and the constitution makes no provision to reprimand a Governor in the HOA. Waste a whole day, two days, electricity all kinda thing taking foolishness in the HOA. And instead you all represent people and say what you are going to do for the people is the Governor you all harassing.”
He continued: “It’s a trend they have, not going into the house to speak on behalf of the people and tell the people what plans they have for them, in their manifesto when they come on a political platform and tell all what they have on their manifesto, you never told us in your manifesto that after election you will go harassing the Governor. And you will go telling lies on the Governor. Can you imagine, and accusing the Governor of a criminal offense? Telling lies on the Governor, to try to get people to turn against a Governor?
On the topic of independence, Knight warned BVI officials that if they no longer wished to be governed by the UK. They should simply seek independence.
“You all want to be harassing the Governor, because you all vex he have powers under the constitution. File a referendum, bring a referendum before the constitution and ask for independence. Tell the Queen you all don’t want anything to do with her, as head of state and things will go alright.”