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Opposition Will Hold New Government Accountable Promises Ronnie Skelton
Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Ronnie Skelton has promised that the opposition, which includes the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Progressives United (PU), will keep the new government accountable over the next four years.
At a joint PVIM, NDP, PU press conference held today, April 27, in Tortola, Skelton said the opposition will use their collective knowledge to serve the people of the British Virgin Islands in the Fifth House of Assembly.
He was officially sworn in this afternoon as Opposition Leader by Governor John Rankin.
“We will keep the government of the day accountable to ensure good government is carried out. We also will ensure that you are represented, your voices are heard. We’re excited to serve the people of the Virgin Islands and we will use our collective knowledge and experience to do so effectively.”
No party won enough seats to form a majority government at the end of election day on April 24.
VIP secured six seats – Karl Dawson in the First Electoral District, Luce Hodge-Smith in the Fourth Electoral District, Kye Rhymer in the Fifth Electoral District, Chairman Natalio Wheatley in the Seventh Electoral District and Vincent Wheatley in Ninth Electoral District. Sharie De Castro won one of the four Territorial-At-Large.
PVIM won three seats in the House of Assembly – Mitch Turnbull returned as Second Electoral District Representative and Skelton and Stacey ‘Buddha’ Mather won two of the four Territorial-At-Large seats.
NDP won three seats – Myron Walwyn in the Sixth Electoral District and Marlon Penn in the Eight Electoral District. Lorna Smith won one the four Territorial-At Large seats.
And, PU Chairman Julian Fraser was re-elected as the Third Electoral District Representative.
Many expected PVIM, NDP and PU to form a coalition government, but less than 24-hours after results were announced, NDP’s Smith crossed the floor and joined the VIP.
VIP Chairman Natalio Wheatley returned as Premier of the territory, while former First Lady Smith is now the Deputy Premier.
Skelton thanked PVIM supporters for putting their trust in the party’s vision for the territory.
““Thanks for your votes. We are very grateful for your trust in us. We believe that integrity matters and it’s something that we hold dear,” he said.
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Scrub Island Resort Hosts 2024 Billfish Series, Crowns Champions
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Four Men Cleared of Murder Charges in 2020 Killing of Matthew Daly
Four men accused of the 2020 murder of Matthew Daly were acquitted today after Justice Rajiv Persad upheld a No Case submission presented by their defense attorneys. Edward Crooke, Dajshon Benjamin, Micah Ormond, and K’Vawn Choucoutou had been on trial for five weeks for Daly’s killing on September 10, 2020. The trial, which began on September 16, 2024, concluded with the judge directing the jury to return Not Guilty verdicts for all defendants.
Crooke, Ormond, and Choucoutou left the High Court as free men, with no other legal matters pending. However, Benjamin remained in custody due to a separate guilty plea in a case before the Magistrate’s Court, as confirmed by his attorney, Michael Maduro.
The defense team included Attorney-at-Law Stephen Daniels for Crooke, Valston Graham for Choucoutou, and Valarie Stevens-Gordon for Ormond. The jury, consisting of seven women and two men, heard testimony throughout the trial before being instructed by Justice Persad to clear the defendants of the charges.
Before dismissing the men, Justice Persad urged them to contribute positively to society and avoid returning to the courts. “Make this a turning point,” he advised as they were formally released.
However, after the verdict, officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force attempted to serve notices of appeal to the men outside the courthouse. This action was met with strong opposition from the defense attorneys, who argued that the notices were prepared before the judge’s decision was announced. The lawyers advised their clients not to accept the appeal documents, which the men complied with.
Despite the officers’ claims that the documents were timestamped after the judge’s ruling, the defense refused to acknowledge the service, leading to a tense standoff in the courthouse yard.
The case remains in legal limbo as both sides weigh their next steps.
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Quick Action by Firefighters Prevents Major Loss at Tortola Auto Group
A swift response by the Fire and Rescue Services averted what could have been a significant disaster for Tortola Auto Group (TAG) after a fire broke out at one of their storage sites. The blaze, which occurred at the Duff Bottom location behind the Island Department Store, threatened a large number of vehicles but was brought under control before causing widespread damage.
According to reports, the fire started in an area where numerous cars were stored. However, the quick actions of the firefighters, along with TAG staff members, prevented the flames from spreading to the majority of vehicles. Workers were able to relocate most of the cars to safety before the fire could escalate.
A source close to the company stated: “We were able to move most of the cars, thankfully. Yes, we lost a few to the fire, but the vast majority are safe and undamaged.”
While some losses were reported, the combined efforts of the Fire and Rescue Services and TAG’s team ensured that the potential for major damage was minimised. The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and further details are expected as investigations continue.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
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