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Bust of late Premier Ralph T. O’Neal OBE unveiled @ BVI London House

-as part of 20th anniversary celebrations to salute vision of late premier
In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the BVI London House, Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and his delegation unveiled the bust of the late Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE last evening, November 14, 2023, in a memorial event. Photo: Facebook
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley shares a toast as part of 20th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: Facebook
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley shares a toast as part of 20th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: Facebook
The Premier and his delegation including Deputy Premier Lorna G. Smith and irgin Islands Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) pose for a photo opportunity. Photo: Facebook
The Premier and his delegation including Deputy Premier Lorna G. Smith and irgin Islands Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) pose for a photo opportunity. Photo: Facebook
LONDON, UK – In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the BVI London House, Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and his delegation unveiled the bust of the late Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE last evening, November 14, 2023, in a memorial event. This was an event first and accurately reported by our news centre.

The Office was founded by the late Hon O’Neal to strengthen the voice of the VI with the UK Government as a vision of his then Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, with the office having a mission to enhance the regional and international impact and reputation of the VI and promote investment in the territory.

Other roles included supporting Virgin Islanders in the UK (Students and Residents) and providing diplomatic representation in the UK and Europe as well as be the voice of the VI in the region.

Over the years, the BVI London House has also had a mission to strengthen the voice of the VI with the European Union.

Opened for business in 2002

The BVI London House first opening opened its doors for business in 2002 and a couple of months before that, the late Premier O’Neal appointed his then Permanent Secretary (PS) M. Bennet Smith and retired PS Lorna Smith, OBE who were assisted by Mr. Derek Dunlop with the responsibility of identifying a suitable building in London to house the VI presence. 

The team selected No. 15 Upper Grosvenor Street as the home for the BVI London House and the House also has an apartment where the Director usually lives.

During the 20th anniversary celebration in January 2022, Premier Dr the Hon Wheatley stated that the BVI London Office is the outward extension of self-government in the Territory which began in 1950 and continues to develop today.

He saluted the late former Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE when his administration successfully acquired BVI House and established the BVI London Office in 2004.

In addition to its diplomatic function, the London Office has also served as a center of VI culture, exposing UK supporters to the best of the VI traditions through related programs and initiatives.

21 Responses to “Bust of late Premier Ralph T. O’Neal OBE unveiled @ BVI London House”

  • Insurer (15/11/2023, 16:25) Like (37) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is all good and well to be recognized but this does not look anything like the Honorable Oneal.
  • lodger (15/11/2023, 16:48) Like (2) Dislike (15) Reply
    The vip has vision
  • Natdr (15/11/2023, 17:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Natures why the late and gr8 Ralph look andry?
  • I wonder who paid for Vincent ticket? (15/11/2023, 18:16) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Where were Ralph jr.?
  • Frog Man (15/11/2023, 20:20) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Noel Lloyd's bust had more looked like Ralph. I don't know who that is.
  • A Capitalist Who Loves the BVI (15/11/2023, 21:08) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Another "delegation" on the taxpayeers' dime! It just never stops!
  • Holiday (16/11/2023, 01:09) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why he didn’t get a national holiday ?
  • HMMM (16/11/2023, 02:47) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    When.Ralph & VIP bought this building in the UK the Opposition especially Kedrick Pickering and all the talk show hosts and many naysayers said it was a waste of money. It is clear now how wrong they were then and now. The more things change the more they remain the same. Progress always is met with resistance.
  • vi (16/11/2023, 04:38) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Vincent at his best...posing for pics. We surely made a mistake, but let the church roll on.
    • blood pressure (16/11/2023, 09:57) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      a majority thinks differently and put him back ,so you keep rising your blood pressure until you drop down from a heart attack.
      • @blood pressure (18/11/2023, 08:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        he got the most out of 4 persons, but it surely was not the majority. check again.
  • Stop making idols (16/11/2023, 05:13) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    I dont get why they are making these statues of people??? Cant that money go towards something else to remember them verses an idol
    • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (16/11/2023, 11:11) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ Stop making idols: Most don't know the the consequence (curse) of idol making. They don't know that idolizing any form of created humans animals, birds, fish, and other living or distinct creatures, and these on this list too, money, self appearance, and other material man-made thing is also an idolism mindset.

      People of the BVI, and others it is time to check ourselves because we are wrecking ourselves in many ways due to our lust for power, and our craving for selfish attention.

      Selfless Love conquers all sins of an erroneous mindset. We brought nothing in this world, when we die physically we inherit nothing.
  • BVI love (16/11/2023, 08:51) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    Only vip has this type of forward thinking Lorna you did the right thing
  • Hmm (16/11/2023, 10:35) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Andrew F. Needs one of these for all he did for us
  • Ooohhh. Boiii (16/11/2023, 15:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not even when Ralphie was young this resembles him —- hope “ they”. ain’t pay the total invoice as yet — clearly NOT. VALUE FOR MONEY
  • ccc (16/11/2023, 20:01) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Well done Premier wheatley this is great, especially having the opportunity to discuss and address some of those outstanding issues that impact the bvi while in London


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