THREAT OF DIRECT UK RULE LIFTED FROM BVI BUT INTENSE SCRUTINY REMAINS

By Staff Writer

A veritable sigh of relief is rippling throughout the British Virgin Islands with the news that the threat of direct rule from the British government has been lifted, at least for now.

Confirmation came in a letter this week from the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, to BVI Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley. It says “an Interim Administration will, however, not be required” and that he has “therefore issued instruction to ‘lift’ the draft Order in Council (through revocation) that would have provided for an Interim Administration.”

The threat of direct rule has been hovering ominously over the territory following UK government concerns that the BVI was moving too slowly to enact legislation and implement a series of recommendations coming out of a 2021 UK Commission of Inquiry into governance shortcomings.

In his correspondence to Premier Wheatley dated September 22nd, Mr Doughty wrote: “The objectives of your government’s approach are as relevant now as they were then – to deliver justice where wrongdoing is found; to engender a new culture in Government in the handling of the public’s business; and to ensure the effective functioning of the Government institutions and systems that support good governance.”

However, he also referred to agreement with the BVI Premier that “implementing the key COI recommendations in the formal sense will alone not be good enough.”

“Fundamental and sustained change in the spirit and practice of governance, public and political life and administration in the Virgin Islands, will be the only true safeguard against backsliding,” the UK Overseas Territories Minister said.

Even though the Order-in-Council is being lifted - a process that will take several months- the BVI government will now be subjected to a series of six-monthly reviews of good governance.

SELF-DETERMINATION

Commenting on ongoing local public debates in the BVI about independence and self-government initiated by the BVI government, Mr Doughty said there’s no change to the UK’s ‘long-standing position’ in this regard. He said the BVI were ‘a valued part of our global British family’ and that the British government is committed to working with the BVI (and other OTs) in what he called “a mutually respectful relationship based on our respective responsibilities.”

“I sincerely hope that we are now entering a new chapter for the Virgin Islands and our relationship,” he added.

The UK’s Overseas Territories Minister also reminded the BVI Premier that “the UK government reserves the right to take any appropriate actions necessary in future, to work with you to uphold good governance, security and the rule of law, in line with our respective constitutional responsibilities and, most importantly, the mutual interests of the people of the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom.”

PREMIER WHEATLEY REACTS

In welcoming the UK decision, BVI Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said: “From the beginning, we as Virgin Islanders were adamant about protecting democratic governance and the hard-earned constitutional gains of our ancestors who built this Territory with courage, vision and fortitude.”

He added: “My Government and I remain committed to good governance and leading this Territory with honesty, integrity and democratic accountability. We have committed to a long-term Transition Plan to continue governance reform and to continue mainstreaming it into the daily workings of Government.”

PARBO (Public Access to Registers of Beneficial Ownership)

In a related development, the UK government’s Anti-Corruption Champion, Baroness Margaret Hodge, was in the BVI this week to assess progress in implementing commitments on beneficial ownership registers.  The so-called Parbo law has been a point of contention between the UK and its Overseas Territories, particularly the BVI, over some aspects of the legislation.

“This visit is an opportunity to engage constructively with leaders and stakeholders in the British Virgin Islands to better understand the challenges they perceive in implementing beneficial ownership registers,” Mrs Hodge said before departing London. 

BVI MPs SALARIES ROW

In a separate issue, a row has broken out in the BVI over huge salary increases that elected members of the BVI House of Assembly(HOA) and government ministers have awarded themselves.

According to reports, with new allowances factored in, HOA members’ salaries now range between US$134,000 and around US$250,000.

The extent of the increases, which more than doubled some members’ salaries, has been questioned by the territory’s Auditor General in a special report released this week.

“The significant increase in HOA members’ salaries was implemented without any form of public disclosure,” the report said.

A press release from the HOA dated September 17th states: “The House notes the public interest and concern expressed following media coverage, particularly regarding compensation for elected officials. With the report now officially before the House, Members will undertake a thorough review of its findings, engage in detailed discussions, and provide a formal response consistent with established parliamentary procedures.”