Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew Fahie has said that his government will be submitting a comprehensive written response to the Commission of Inquiry report which was recently completed.
Premier Fahie made the declaration shortly after Governor His Excellency John Rankin announced receipt of the COI report from the Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom yesterday.
He said, “I have not received a copy of the report, but in our meeting this morning, Governor Rankin assured me that I, and the relevant persons, would have an opportunity to review the report before having initial discussions with him on its content. Following my administration’s review, we will submit a comprehensive written response to the report.”
Premier looks forward to discussions
The leader of government business also stated that once he has completed his assessment of the report, he is looking forward to having discussions with the Governor and the United Kingdom Minister for the Overseas Territories, The Right Honourable Amanda Milling.
“I look forward to reviewing the COI report once received and having initial discussions with Governor Rankin on its contents. I very much appreciate the Governor’s openness to engagement,” Premier Fahie stated.
He added, “Additionally, I look forward to travelling to the United Kingdom to have discussions with Minister Milling on the report, which I first proposed at the Joint Ministerial Council last year, and again during her recent visit to the territory.”
Premier Fahie also said that he welcomes the presence of Governor Rankin at the meeting in the United Kingdom when that date is set.
Governor Rankin in his statement on Tuesday said the COI report is approximately 1000 pages and has over 40 recommendations for the territory.
He said the report will be accessible to a select number of persons in the first instance, only after he has completed his assessment of the report.
According to the Governor, his assessment of the report should be completed after the upcoming Easter holidays.