by Janeka Simon (VI Consortium) “As such, I am minded not to grant leave to the Honorable member for this sitting, or any subsequent sitting, for such time as the circumstances of his non-attendance remain the same’.
Those were the words of the Speaker of the House of Assembly of the British Virgin Islands, Corine George-Massicote, telling members that their colleague Andrew Fahie, currently confined to his daughter’s Florida residence as he awaits trial, is at risk of losing his seat in the House.
Under BVI House of Assembly Rules, if Fahie misses three consecutive sitting without a written leave of absence and, importantly, consent from the Speaker, the former premier will be removed as the representative of the BVI’s First District, and off the government’s payroll.
On Tuesday, Speaker George-Massicote, having announced to House Members a second notice of absence from Fahie, addressed the sitting of the House and said that it was public interest in Fahie’s status as a member of the House which prompted her to provide her reasoning and ultimate pronouncement on the matter at this time.
