Government House disputes Daily News report on Bryan’s absence from Sept. 29 briefing

Government House said in a Sept. 30 statement that Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. was out of the territory from Sept. 22 through Sept. 28 and therefore did not attend the weekly press briefing held on Sept. 29.

The statement said Bryan returned to the Virgin Islands on Sept. 28 and attended his aunt’s funeral services on Sept. 29.

Government House said Virgin Islands law requires the establishment of an order of succession when the governor travels, citing Title 3, Section 30(a) of the Virgin Islands Code. The statement said there is no statutory requirement to disclose whether the governor’s travel is official or personal, or to detail the purpose of the travel.

Government House also said weekly press briefings are not required by law and that the administration has not said the governor would appear at every briefing. The statement said the briefings have included the lieutenant governor, Cabinet members and other senior officials.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/government-house-condemns-reckless-daily-news-reporting-on-governors-absence-from-briefing/