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Hon Fraser wants no fight with Hon O'Neal
- said he was only being civil to the member & hopes civility returns to VI politics
November 11th, 2016 | Tags: civility disrespect threats julian fraser RA Hubert O'Neal
Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), right, said he was only being civil when speaking on issues concerning Ninth District Representative Dr The Hon Hubert O'Neal (left) at his public meeting in Virgin Gorda on November 2, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
Persons at the meeting called by Dr The Hon Hubert O'Neal (R9) at the Catholic Community Centre in Virgin Gorda on November 9, 2016. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons at the Catholic Community Centre in the Valley, Virgin Gorda at the public meeting called by Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) on November 2, 2016. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) seems to have no interest in "trading punches" with Ninth District Representative Dr The Hon Hubert O'Neal, who shockingly threatened to knock the veteran legislator out.
Dr O'Neal was upset with statements made by Hon Fraser at his public meeting on November 2, 2016 at the Catholic Community Centre on Virgin Gorda.
Hon Fraser had addressed the alleged inability by constituents to reach Hon O'Neal, going as far as suggesting that it may be a case of disrespect for the Representative through assistance by his own National Democratic Party (NDP). He pointed out that the shortcomings of any Representative of the Ninth District could be blamed on them not having clout and having a "lack of reach."
A furious Dr O'Neal called his own meeting on November 9, 2016 at the Catholic Community Centre and, in a manner most unbecoming of an elected representative, said he is normally a quiet person but he was upset to the point that he would have punched Hon Fraser.
"But I could tell you something, after that I was so angry with that member. If he was anywhere near me, and I am telling you this from the depth of my heart right, if he was anywhere near me, he would find out how much reach I have and he would find out how much clout I have because I was going to hit him bottom up, put a good fist on his jawbone and he was going down."
Hon O'Neal even directly disrespected the House of Assembly (HoA) when he said he would have physically assaulted Hon Fraser in the HoA if necessary.
"I am very serious. I don't normally do them kind of thing but he had me so angry that was what was going to happen. And I would have done it right in the House of Assembly too if necessary."
According to Hon O'Neal, he was not going to take any "disrespect" from the Opposition Leader.
"So I want the Member to know that I am not going to take that kind of abuse from him. And if he is expecting me to just crawl up in my shell like a soldier crab and say nothing about it, that is not going to happen either."
Can't we just get along?
Meanwhile, Hon Fraser addressed the matter on his Facebook page on November 10, 2016, saying that in a "weird and incredibly ill-advised meeting" Dr O'Neal made a series of threats to him in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition and that he wished to respond with a hope that civility can return to politics in the Virgin Islands.
"Unlike the hostilities and threatening antics of Dr O'Neal -Member for the 9th District-, I thought I was quite civil to the Member as I only pointed out my observations, evidenced by the opening paragraphs of my very comprehensive presentation which had little else to do with him….There have been many observations that I made during the last General Elections Campaign, but none was more pertinent to you the people of Virgin Gorda than the need for you to ensure that your next Representative be someone in a position of high authority," Hon Fraser said in sticking to his argument that Dr O'Neal lacks clout.
Meanwhile, many Virgin Gordians on social media expressed disappointment with their Representative. Some even suggested that the threats by Dr O'Neal were made outside of the House of Assembly where he was not protected by immunity and that the matter should be reported to the police.
Another said the Ninth District did not belong to the Representative and that any Member should be free to call meetings there. Dr O'Neal had called the meeting in Virgin Gorda by Hon Fraser 'unprecedented'.
See link to related story:
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/i-will-not-tolerate-disrespect-from-hon-fraser-hon-oneal
24 Responses to "Hon Fraser wants no fight with Hon O'Neal"
B (11/11/2016, 07:44) Like (47) Dislike (0) Reply
O'Neal lost his temper in a bad way. It makes him look unprofessional.
look here (11/11/2016, 09:29) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
you loose you temper in the Heat of the Moment..... not 7 days after the fact. He should have been level headed enough to formulate a better response, he had enough time to write, rewrite wrote and rewrote his speech. What he did was in really bad taste and a discredit to his office.
By trying to sound tough enough he lost all credibility with the people, and did more damage to his representation than anything the opposition leader could have said. His people needed to take away his twitter fingers opps sorry... well in his case turn off the microphone
boxer (11/11/2016, 08:01) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
I was just going to call don king to get the them both in the ring
Apalled (11/11/2016, 08:12) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
Why be a Donald Trump when you could be an Obama.. "When they go low we go high".
wize up (11/11/2016, 08:27) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
pure politics!!!! while the people suffer and these two guys simply wants to look good in the eyes of their respective voters(stop the nonsense;put heads together for the better of our territory)...wake up and shift away from NDP this !!! and the VIP that!!! (one tribe and we dont need no more tribalism)
SMH (11/11/2016, 08:28) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
this guy is a joke
Down goes Fraser, down goes Fraser.........
boxer (11/11/2016, 08:49) Like (49) Dislike (0) Reply
But all jokes aside, Hubert does indeed lack "Clout"....
me (11/11/2016, 08:57) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
look a next trump what is really wrong with him ,
myrun (11/11/2016, 09:11) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
Fraser is a true stateman bottom line
@ Myron: now you know better than to be here calling fraser a statesman; this guys only have strong political support in district # 3 and look at his margin of victory in 2015(thanks to st thomas votes)....now; if he have balls he will run at large come 2016(now that's a true statesman)....(this have been a paid political announcement)
seekabay (11/11/2016, 09:14) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
Fraser is a man, infact fraser is the man...Oneal is a lil boy.
Haha. (11/11/2016, 10:50) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
Knock his Axxx out. Then run. One heavy right to the Jaw.. Shut it for good.
Candi (11/11/2016, 11:33) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but this was a bit much. I do not agree with the way Dr O'Neal addressed this matter. He should have addressed Hon Fraser directly. Give him a call or something. Fine, he did not attend the meeting, but Hon. Fraser did inform him, he had a choice.
On another note, Dr O'Neal was out of line. As a representative, a member of the House and as a grown man, he should have conducted himself better. What if a resident in that district tells him something he doesn't like, would he get physical? This man was not ready for the political arena. Hon Fraser has been bashed more than a coconut and he has NEVER stooped so low. Dr. O'Neal needs to issue a public apology.
Thug life (11/11/2016, 11:48) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
Since when Bertie get some much balls. Thing to talk mehson. He busy playing bad man, but if I was Fraser I would report him to the police and say I'm in fear for my life because this man made a public threat. No need for witnessess cause it's already breaking news. Bertie know Fraser speaking the truth so he get vex, that's all it is.
fight fan (11/11/2016, 12:03) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
disapointed fraser not taking up d challenge. had mah bush tea ready and front seat. rumble on the rock...burtie talks a good fight but my money was on joe fraser.. fighter has to have head too
VG-1 (11/11/2016, 12:24) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
Mr. O'Neal we are SICK of you...SMH
Pinkie (11/11/2016, 12:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
take him on fraser he will see all the pigs from pig city in his sleep .dont take that threat as no joke .i warn you
$$$$$ (11/11/2016, 13:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
My money on fraser bossie
An Idea (11/11/2016, 14:02) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
Hey.......maybe we can turn this into a fundraiser. D9 vs D3. Winner takes all for a charity or school in their district...lol. What you all think?
............ (11/11/2016, 15:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
@ An Idea - lmbo
joe joe (11/11/2016, 14:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
O'Neal is a wimp, always been a wimp and will always be a WIMP.
News (11/11/2016, 17:14) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
Fraser right to not take him on because that is child's play. I doubt he has time for that nonsense. Do not always like VIP's approach but one thing about them is that they behaved like men. As a female I dislike seeing all of this whining, fussing and over emotionalism seen in recent years.
The kids are watching and taking notes dear minister.....