The newly installed British Virgin Islands government has staved off, for now, any imposition of direct rule from the United Kingdom, but it will have to follow through on urgent reforms to address corruption concerns about the Overseas Territory.
Britain’s foreign minister Liz Truss, according to UK media reports Wednesday, 8 June, announced that the UK will hold off on a governor-led administration in BVI and instead allow Premier Natalio D. Wheatley and his Unity government to implement reforms they have proposed, with accompanying set timelines.
“I believe, in the first instance, the new government should have an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to reform through the implementation of the 48 (inquiry) recommendations and the further measures they have proposed,” Truss said, through a written statement, as reported by Reuters.
Though the new administration will be allowed to continue, the UK has retained its ability to step in if the proposed changes are not met.
“If it becomes clear that this approach is not delivering the reform the people of the BVI want and deserve we will take action. This may require the swift implementation of the final Report recommendation,” Truss added.
Corruption report triggered action
The report to which Truss referred is the result of the Commission of Inquiry into corruption allegations in BVI, which recommended the temporary suspension of the islands’ constitution and the transfer of power to the UK-appointed governor for an initial two years.
Former BVI premier Andrew Fahie was arrested at a Miami airport in April on drug smuggling and money-laundering charges.
Fahie, along with BVI Port Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard and her son Kadeem, all of whom were arrested at the Opa Locka Executive Airport following a six-month sting operation, face joint drug charges.
The embattled former leader has pleaded not guilty.
On 8 June, local leaders spoke at a media conference, addressing the UK’s decision and its implementation.
BVI Governor John Rankin said that last week, following discussions, the Government of National Unity submitted a final proposal to the UK outlining, with clear timelines, how they would deliver the report recommendations “but without the need for a temporary partial suspension of the Constitution”.
UK rule not completely dismissed
UK ministers, he said, have agreed to the proposal submitted by the Government of National Unity.
“The Premier and Government of National Unity have shown the will and commitment to improve governance in the BVI and therefore it is right that elected officials here should have the opportunity to implement the COI recommendations,” he said.
Rankin added, in his statement, that the government will be held to account when it comes to implementation of agreed timelines for changes outlined.
“If the Government of National Unity, or any subsequent government, fails to deliver any of the milestones without reasonable justification, or I assess that progress is being frustrated in any way, the UK Government and I will take action to protect the interests of the people of the BVI. That includes the continuing option of temporary suspension of the House of Assembly and Cabinet, with a temporary Governor-led Interim Administration assisted by an Advisory Council, to drive forward the implementation of any outstanding recommendations,” Rankin said.
The UK government, he said, has put in place the framework to do this through an Order in Council.
“This is the procedural Order put before the Privy Council of the UK which is required in order to make changes to the Constitution of the BVI. This will allow the Foreign Secretary to swiftly provide me with the powers needed to take corrective action if progress against the milestones is unsatisfactory,” Governor Rankin explained.
Premier Wheatley welcomed the UK’s decision to accept his government’s proposal and vowed to make it happen.
“I want to be clear. Change will be hard. It will be painful in some instances. People we know and care about will be affected. However, in the end, it will be for the betterment of these Virgin Islands. This is our opportunity as a society to transform these Virgin Islands into a model democracy where we have better institutions, better systems, better processes, better public services, better infrastructure and an economy that delivers for all,” Wheatley said, as he addressed the media conference.
He said the Government of National Unity’s final proposal will serve as the government’s plan for undertaking the important work of delivering the report recommendations and other reforms in a timely fashion.
He said the document contains a balance of responsibilities that are either shared or divided between the governor, premier, cabinet, ministries and House of Assembly.
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