Political critic Cindy Rosan Jones has been fired from her role as Events Coordinator at the BVI Tourist board.
The release letter states “the position of events coordinator is no longer needed as your position has been made more redundant. Regrettably, this means your employment with BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission has been terminated with immediate effect.”
The tourist board is a statutory body under the Premier’s office that is ran by an independent board.
When contacted by our newsroom Rosan Jones said “I am willing to confirm on Friday December 11th at 4:15pm, I was made redundant at the BVI Tourist Board with immediate effect. It didn’t come as a surprise to me as they’ve been trying for the better part of a year and a half. It’s been relentless,” Cindy stated.
“Virgin islanders and belongers, any resident, has a right to freedom of speech under the Virgin Islands Constitution,” she said, further adding that this is a deliberate attempt to silence her.
Cindy’s sensational talk show “Cut Deep” is an unfiltered platform that heavily lambasts the current Government administration.
Now in it’s second season, the show’s objective is to “cut through the political rhetoric” and has seen damning condemnation of issues that includes Government’s response to Covid-19, alleged cronyism within statutory boards, victimization and the highly-debated banning of bikes after 5pm.
Cindy expressed that this new reality will not serve as a deterrent and reiterated her commitment to highlighting what she considers to be injustices induced by Government.
“Regardless of this new development I will continue to speak out against the injustices levied upon residents by the VIP administration. I will do so even more freely now and more in-depth,” she said.
On October 8th, 2019, Cindy was issued a warning letter from the BVI Tourist Board relating to her posts made on personal social media pages. The letter stated that Cindy’s posts will bring “bad publicity” to the territory as a tourism destination and further highlighted that it’s demeaning to Government and overseeing agencies.
“As you are aware, the BVITB and the Film Commission is tasked with, among other things, the favorable promotion of the BVI. We are aware that you recently posted via a social media platform, comments relating to the Premier and the government including the Tourism portfolio, and also persons responsible for and operating within that portfolio.”
“From where we sit, the BVITB has determined that your posts as an employee of the board has embarrassed the Board and are not in line with the Board’s aim to favorably promote the BVI,” the two-page letter addressed to Cindy stated.
A strict warning was sent within the contents of the letter to dissuade any such behavior in the future.
“We hereby warn you to cease any and all activities which could amount to embarrassment, unfavorable and negative promotion of the BVI and the board. Failure to adhere to this warning may lead to further disciplinary action against you.”
In response, Rosan Jones had threatened to seek legal counsel, adding that it was a breach of her constitutional right, and vowed to fight against the “journey of victimization, bullying and scaremongering”, which she claims has been her reality post Elections 2019.