2021 in the British Virgin Islands explained

Events from the year 2021 in the British Virgin Islands.

Incumbents

• Governor

• • Until 23 January Augustus Jaspert
  • 23 January - 29 January David Archer (acting)
  • From 29 January John Rankin
• Premier

Andrew Fahie

Events

January

• 12 January - The UK Government announces it is withdrawing funding from the BVI's Recovery and Development Agency.Web site: UK pulling out of funding RDA. BVI News. 12 January 2021.
• 18 January - The Governor forms a Commission of Inquiry in order to "look into whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty in relation to officials — elected, statutory or public — may have taken place in recent years. If so, it will consider the conditions which allowed this to take place and make independent recommendations for improvement."^[1] The Commission is to be headed by retired English Court of Appeal judge, Sir Gary Hickinbottom.^[2]

February

• 9 February - Earl "Bob" Hodge is shot and killed.^[3] The United States had made repeated unsuccessful attempts to extradite Hodge on allegations of cocaine trafficking.^[4]
• 24 February - The Premier announces the formation of a review commission in relation to the Constitution of the British Virgin Islands.^[5]

May

• 4 May - The Commission of Inquiry in relation to the Government led by Sir Gary Hickinbottom starts sitting.^[6]

July

• 2 July - The Territory records its second death from Covid-19.^[7]

August

• 6 August - The Territory's Covid-19 death toll climbs to 37.^[8]

October

• 22 October - Evidence gathering stage of the Commission of Inquiry concludes.^[9]
• 28 October - The Government proposes a motion in the House of Assembly that the financial burden of a costs order against the Speaker of the House be met from public funds.^[10]
• 29 October - On online petition criticising the government's decision to pay the legal costs of the Speaker of the House in relation to a failed injunction application receives over 1,000 signatures in the first 24 hours.^[11]

See also

• 2021 in the Caribbean

Notes and References

1. Web site: Governor orders Commission of Inquiry to investigate BVI gov't . BVI News. 18 January 2021.
2. Web site: British Virgin Islands governance inquiry launched . Pat Sweet . Accountancy Daily . 19 January 2021 . 3 July 2021.
3. Web site: BREAKING NEWS: Earl 'Bob' Hodge Shot Dead . BVI Platinum . 10 February 2021.
4. News: No extradition Hodge, Harrigan wins court appeal . BVI News . 10 February 2021.
5. Web site: $300K For Constitutional Review Commission . BVI Platinum. 1 March 2021 .
6. Web site: Hearings . BVI Commission of Inquiry - Official Website . 3 July 2021.
7. Web site: One more person dies from COVID in BVI! Active cases climb to 150 . BVI News . 2 July 2021 . 3 July 2021 . The BVI has recorded one new death as a result of the COVID-19 virus. ... This brings the total number of COVID-related deaths recorded in the BVI to two persons..
8. Web site: As active cases fall, BVI COVID death toll climbs to 37 . Daily News. 6 August 2021.
9. Web site: Evidence gathering stage of COI now concluded . BVI News. 22 October 2021.
10. Web site: Gov't wants HOA to exempt Speaker from paying legal fees . BVI News . 28 October 2021.
11. Web site: Online petition: Hundreds sign for Willock to foot injunction legal fees . BVI News . 29 October 2021.