VI wins big in fight against UK over beneficial registers. Photo: Internet Source

The Virgin Islands (VI) ‘Decision March’, in May 2018 held on Tortola, organised by Bishop John I. Cline, was accompanied by a petition that was submitted to the UK Parliament. Photo: VINO/File

Acting Governor David D. Archer (pictured at centre) has been tasked with ensuring that the signed petition be sent to the Queen. Photo: VINO/File

According to Bishop, John I. Cline, “the move is a significant win for those that fought against the implementation of the Registers in the VI the rest of the OTs and further demonstrates that when you are pushed beyond reason, you must fight back collectively.” Photo: VINO/File

The row was brought to light recently by a UK Guardian newspaper article on January 11, 2019, under the caption, ‘British OTs win reprieve after threatening legal action or cessation.’

The Virgin Islands (VI)  ‘Decision March’, in May 2018 held on Tortola and organised by Bishop John I. Cline, was accompanied by a petition that was submitted to the UK Parliament together with a letter from the BVI Christian Council, also headed by Cline.

The Christian Council was a proponent for more time, for the implementation of such draconian measures.

The ‘Decision March’ petition had found the support of over 3,000 signatures from persons across the Territory, calling on the UK to stay the decision.

 Parliament Attacks Law Makers

The UK Parliament is now accusing the government of delaying plans, “to require the British OTs to bring in the public registers.”

It appeared at first that the registers were supposed to be implemented by 2020, but the Foreign & Commonwealth  Office, according to the Guardian recently, indicated otherwise, and said that the OTs were now required to have the registers implemented by 2023.

This is three years after the MPs thought they had set as a deadline by law in the debates last May 2018. According to the Guardian’s article, the MPs (Members of Parliament) in the UK are now attacking the Ministers of government over delays to having the beneficial registers implemented in the VI, Cayman, Bermuda, and the other Overseas Territories.

 New Time table

The new timetable, according to at least one MP, the Rt Hon Dame Margaret Hodge, “is a sleight of hand and its an attempt to ignore the clear will of parliament.”

MPs are now also saying that it was not clear that the ‘Order in Council’ should be introduced in 2020. While MP Hodge contends that it was not the Order, but the registers itself was supposed to come into being in 2020.

The Guardian has reported that there is now the fear in the UK among MPs—voiced by Hodge—that with the UK Elections slated for 2021, this opens up the possibility of the deadline—now pushed pass the UK elections—will be pushed beyond 2023. 

According to Bishop John I Cline, “the move is a significant win for those that fought against the implementation of the Registers in the VI the rest of the OTs and further demonstrates that when you are pushed beyond reason, you must fight back collectively.”

 He said, “we are very pleased with the delay in the decision by the FCO to side with the Overseas Territories” 

The Organizer of the ‘Decision March’ noted that “getting five years is definitely a good start…it’s a victory for the OTs, and I want to thank the UK Ministers who help us in the push back,” the Bishop stated. 

Hon. Pickering Vindicated?

It was the Deputy Premier, Dr the Honourable, Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) who indicated in his speech at the ‘Decision March,’ that if the UK were to continue to bully its OTs such as the VI in the way it was doing, then “it was time that we try to seek a different type of relationship.”

Dr Pickering had taken some flack over his statement which many interpreted to mean that he was suggested the VI secede from the UK or go independent. 

Yet, the matter is now popping up in the UK headlines and it appears that the voices in the OTs did not go on deaf ears.