Article 39 Deputy to Governor
Whenever the Governor—
has occasion to be absent from the seat of Government but not from the Virgin Islands;
has occasion to be absent from the Virgin Islands for a period which he or she has reason to believe will be of short duration; or
is suffering from any illness which he or she has reason to believe will be of short duration,
the Governor may, acting in his or her discretion, by instrument under the public seal, appoint the Deputy Governor, or if the Deputy Governor is not available any other person in the Virgin Islands who is a Virgin Islander as defined in section 65(2), to be his or her deputy during such absence or illness and in that capacity to perform on his or her behalf such of the functions of the office of Governor as may be specified in that instrument.
The power and authority of the Governor shall not be affected by the appointment of a deputy under this section, and a deputy shall comply with such instructions as the Governor, acting in his or her discretion, may from time to time address to the deputy; but the question whether or not a deputy has in any matter complied with any such instructions shall not be enquired into in any court.
A person appointed as a deputy under this section shall hold that appointment for such period as may be specified in the instrument by which he or she is appointed, and the appointment may be revoked at any time by Her Majesty by instructions given through a Secretary of State or by the Governor, acting in his or her discretion.