A heated exchange unfolded Thursday night on Virgin Islands Voice programme when ZBVI reporter Zan Lewis challenged Premier Natalio Wheatley over Government’s refusal to disclose spending on failed cases through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The Premier, who appeared on the programme to discuss Government measures addressing rising prices in the Territory, said attempts were made to obtain the information but legal concerns prevented its release.
“I had a meeting involving the Financial Secretary, the DPP and the Governor, and the DPP shared reasons why that information cannot be shared and quoted law,” Wheatley stated.
Lewis pushed back during a follow up telephone call to the programme, arguing that taxpayers had a right to know how much public money was being spent on King’s Counsel and failed appeals.
“The money is being wasted and the public is being told you cannot give out the information,” Lewis said during the call-in segment.
As tensions rose, Wheatley responded: “Zan, lower your blood pressure for just a little bit.”
The Premier maintained that the Government was bound by legal advice provided by the DPP and stressed that the discussions took place in the presence of Governor Daniel Pruce.
The exchange has reignited debate over transparency and accountability surrounding Government legal spending and the use of external counsel in DPP matters.
The Premier, who appeared on the programme to discuss Government measures addressing rising prices in the Territory, said attempts were made to obtain the information but legal concerns prevented its release.
“I had a meeting involving the Financial Secretary, the DPP and the Governor, and the DPP shared reasons why that information cannot be shared and quoted law,” Wheatley stated.
Lewis pushed back during a follow up telephone call to the programme, arguing that taxpayers had a right to know how much public money was being spent on King’s Counsel and failed appeals.
“The money is being wasted and the public is being told you cannot give out the information,” Lewis said during the call-in segment.
As tensions rose, Wheatley responded: “Zan, lower your blood pressure for just a little bit.”
The Premier maintained that the Government was bound by legal advice provided by the DPP and stressed that the discussions took place in the presence of Governor Daniel Pruce.
The exchange has reignited debate over transparency and accountability surrounding Government legal spending and the use of external counsel in DPP matters.
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