BVI GOVERNMENT AND UK GOVERNOR AT ODDS OVER POWERS

By Michael Jarvis, London UK

The British Virgin Islands government and the territory’s UK-appointed Governor  are at odds over moves by the Governor to take on more powers.

At issue are recommendations coming out of a 2021 UK Commission of Inquiry into administrative shortcomings and corruption in the UK overseas territory.

The implementation of the far-reaching recommendations has been a point of contention between the BVI government of Premier Natalio Wheatley and Governor John Rankin over concerns that the process was going too slowly.

The Governor is now seeking additional powers in part to speed up the process.

Coming out of the Commission of Inquiry, an Order In Council is hanging over the BVI, giving the British government via the  Governor the authority to institute direct rule if the Commission’s recommendations are not implemented as agreed.

A deadline of May 2024 was set for putting the recommendations (submitted in 2022) in place. But speaking during a press conference last Friday January 5th, Governor Rankin said this now seems highly unlikely and has suggested that the deadline be extended to November under special conditions.

“I am not recommending triggering of the Order in Council in order to establish an interim administration led by the Governor,” he stated.

However, the BVI Governor went on to say: “I have come to the conclusion that additional powers are required for the Governor to help ensure that the BVI Government delivers its commitments.”

COLONIAL MOVE

In a statement Premier Wheatley described the  intentions of the Governor as “a colonial move”, and speaking during a subsequent press conference on Monday January 8th, he called it an attempt at “a hostile takeover”.

According to the Premier, any additional powers sought by Governor Rankin must be done by constitutional amendment. The BVI is also pursuing a process of constitutional reforms to be negotiated with the British government.

Premier Wheatley said while there are challenges, his government is already working to the agreed extended timelines on the COI recommendations. “Things are going in the right direction. We have pressed forward, despite the initial timeliness that were agreed under duress. Some deadlines have been adjusted to ensure we have the additional time and resources to complete certain reforms and that the people and relevant stakeholders affected are consulted.”

He also stated: “Clearly a reform exercise of the scale we are undertaking cannot be completed in its entirety in two years”, and pointed to the UK’s Brexit (split from the European Union) as an example. “In the United Kingdom (UK), Brexit was not completed in two years and there are still outstanding issues.”

Mr Wheatley insisted that elected members on both sides of the BVI Legislative Assembly “are highly disappointed with the Governor’s request for additional powers in his most recent update on governance reforms” which he felt encroached on areas of constitutional responsibility devolved to the elected arm of government.

“It would be a colonial act,” he stated.

The BVI Premier also said that he will write to the UK Minister responsible for the Overseas Territories, David Rutley, “to urge him to not support the Governor’s request to grant the Governor additional powers.”

He said he would urge the continuation of “constructive engagement between the UK and the British Virgin Islands as partners and support to the elected arm of government in implementing governance reforms.”

Current BVI Governor John Rankin will leave his post at the end of this month.