As explained in the Commissioner’s Statement on 2 June 2021, the COI intends to resume substantive hearings on Monday 14 June 2021. During this first week of hearings, the Commissioner intends to hear witness evidence from elected Ministers and other Members of the House of Assembly, and some former Members, particularly on their held and declared interests.
The Schedule of hearings are as follows:
Monday June 14th:
9am- Direction Hearings
10am- Hon. Marlon A Penn, Hon. Alvera Maduro Cains, Hon. Mark Vanterpool, Hon. Julian Fraser, Hon. Melvin Turnbull, Hon. Julian Willock
11am-Hon. Dawn J Smith, Hon. Sharie B de Castro, Hon. Shereen Flax Charles
2pm-Hon. Kye Rymer, Hon. Carvin Malone
Tuesday June 15th:
10am-Hon. Neville A Smith
2pm-Hon. Vincent O Wheatley
Wednesday June 16th:
2pm-Dr. Hurbert Robinson O’neal, Ms. Ingrid Moses Scatliffe, Myron V Walwyn
4pm-Hon. Natalio Wheatley
Thursday June 17th:
10am-Dr. Daniel O Smith, Dr. Kedrick Pickering, Ronnie W Skelton
2pm-Arhcibald Christian
Friday June 18th: 1pm-Hon. Andrew A Fahie
However, a number of issues have been raised by those representing participants in the COI which require resolution before the witness evidence can proceed, and in particular before the final order of witnesses can be determined. The Commissioner will therefore hold a Directions hearing on Monday 14 June at 9am to determine these issues. It is expected that witness evidence will commence at 10am that day. The Commissioner intends that all the matters canvassed at the hearing will be live-streamed on the COI’s YouTube channel so that the BVI public can continue to follow the work of the COI.
The Commission of Inquiry (“the COI”) was issued on 19 January 2021 to look into whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty may have taken place amongst public, elected and statutory officials in recent years; and to make appropriate recommendations as to governance and the operation of the law enforcement and justice systems in the BVI. The Rt Hon Sir Gary Hickinbottom is the sole Commissioner.