Gov Rankin concerned with recent amendments to Register of Interests Act - Believes effect of amendments is to 'significantly restrict public access’ to Register

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has expressed concern that the recently amended Register of Interests Act may significantly restrict public access to the Register.

The Register of Interests (Amendment) Act 2022 was passed at the Sixth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on July 21, 2022.

Governor Rankin, speaking alongside Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) at a press conference to update the public on the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations on August 10, 2022, said the Register of Interests legislation was intended to increase transparency and accountability to ensure that Members of the House of Assembly complete their entries and that the register is fully accessible to the public.

“This is an important cornerstone for any elected body to ensure that those elected to represent the people do not financially or personally benefit through an unfair advantage. A public register also helps to ensure that those in elected roles are accountable to the people they serve.”

According to Governor Rankin, he only received the text of the amendments on the morning of August 10, 2022, and will need to study them and their impact in detail.