Julian Willock has hit back at critics of his appointment as a government political adviser, insisting he is qualified for the role and has every right to serve his country.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Willock responded to the public backlash that followed confirmation by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley last week that he had been hired as the Premier's special adviser.
The appointment sparked criticism from some members of the public, with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government facing allegations of nepotism and potential conflicts of interest.
“My focus, however, will remain on the work entrusted to me and on making a meaningful contribution to the continued development of the Virgin Islands,” Willock wrote.
He also took aim at what he described as “unscrupulous individuals” seeking to discredit his appointment.
“I have this morning become aware of some unscrupulous individuals, three in particular, who lack credibility, but seem eager to fall over themselves for my acceptance of an advisor role with the Honourable Premier,” he stated.
Willock praised Dr. Wheatley for publicly confirming the appointment, describing it as consistent with the Premier's commitment to transparency.
“We applaud the Premier's announcement on my appointment, which is consistent with his commitment to transparency and is the right thing to do, given that, like many others in the Ministerial staff pool, we are being compensated from the public purse, therefore the people have a right to know,” he said.
He also rejected suggestions that his appointment was inappropriate, arguing that his qualifications entitled him to work in either the public or private sector.
“As a Virgin Islander who is more than qualified, and a professional, I can work in both the public and private sectors in my homeland, so for me, this is not an issue,” Willock said.
The former House Speaker said his responsibility is to provide strategic and political advice to the Premier in accordance with the Ministerial Staff Policy.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to the Honourable Premier Dr. Wheatley for the confidence he has placed in me. My responsibility is to advise him, not the public,” he wrote.
Last week, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley confirmed during the Talking Points radio programme that Willock had been appointed as his special adviser after the introduction of the government's Ministerial Staff Policy. The confirmation came days after Willock declined to answer repeated questions about the appointment during an earlier appearance on the same programme, saying he would allow the Premier to make the announcement.
Willock has also announced his intention to seek the Virgin Islands Party's nomination to contest the Third District seat at the next general election.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Willock responded to the public backlash that followed confirmation by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley last week that he had been hired as the Premier's special adviser.
The appointment sparked criticism from some members of the public, with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government facing allegations of nepotism and potential conflicts of interest.
“My focus, however, will remain on the work entrusted to me and on making a meaningful contribution to the continued development of the Virgin Islands,” Willock wrote.
He also took aim at what he described as “unscrupulous individuals” seeking to discredit his appointment.
“I have this morning become aware of some unscrupulous individuals, three in particular, who lack credibility, but seem eager to fall over themselves for my acceptance of an advisor role with the Honourable Premier,” he stated.
Willock praised Dr. Wheatley for publicly confirming the appointment, describing it as consistent with the Premier's commitment to transparency.
“We applaud the Premier's announcement on my appointment, which is consistent with his commitment to transparency and is the right thing to do, given that, like many others in the Ministerial staff pool, we are being compensated from the public purse, therefore the people have a right to know,” he said.
He also rejected suggestions that his appointment was inappropriate, arguing that his qualifications entitled him to work in either the public or private sector.
“As a Virgin Islander who is more than qualified, and a professional, I can work in both the public and private sectors in my homeland, so for me, this is not an issue,” Willock said.
The former House Speaker said his responsibility is to provide strategic and political advice to the Premier in accordance with the Ministerial Staff Policy.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to the Honourable Premier Dr. Wheatley for the confidence he has placed in me. My responsibility is to advise him, not the public,” he wrote.
Last week, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley confirmed during the Talking Points radio programme that Willock had been appointed as his special adviser after the introduction of the government's Ministerial Staff Policy. The confirmation came days after Willock declined to answer repeated questions about the appointment during an earlier appearance on the same programme, saying he would allow the Premier to make the announcement.
Willock has also announced his intention to seek the Virgin Islands Party's nomination to contest the Third District seat at the next general election.
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A Political Advisor does not serve the country, it servers the party that employed it.
Also you as an individual has always been about self gains. All the community outreach you are trying to do is a charade.