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Despite slight disagreements ‘it's been my joy’ to work with Gov Rankin– Premier

Despite slight disagreements, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said ‘it's been my joy’ to work with Governor John J. Rankin, CMG. Photo: GIS/File
The Virgin Islands (VI) will get a new Governor effective January 2024 where Mr Daniel Pruce has been appointed Governor of the VI as current Governor John. J. Rankin, CMG is said to be retiring from service. Photo: Internet Source/FCDO
The Virgin Islands (VI) will get a new Governor effective January 2024 where Mr Daniel Pruce has been appointed Governor of the VI as current Governor John. J. Rankin, CMG is said to be retiring from service. Photo: Internet Source/FCDO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Governor John J. Rankin, CMG is set to enter retirement from the United Kingdom (UK) civil service when he demits the Governor's Office in a few months' time and Mr Daniel Pruce has already been named the next Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) effective January 2024.

Speaking during a Naturalisation Ceremony on July 11, 2023, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said it was a "joy" to work with Governor Rankin.

Governor contributes to efficient BOTC process - Premier Wheatley 

“I want to recognise the Governor who has announced that he will be retiring, and certainly he has, I’m not sure how [many] ceremonies you'll be doing,” he added. 

Dr Wheatley continued, “But I certainly think we should give the Governor a round of applause for the role that he has played in this process.”

The Premier said the Governor has played a part in ensuring the VI has an efficient and effective process for persons receiving their BOTC status.

“And governor, while every now and again we have a little slight disagreement, I want to let you know it's been my joy to work with you, especially in settings such as these, on important occasions when we're able to, to confer the status on deserving applicants,” he added.

Disagreements

One of the disagreements that went public was in February 2023 when the Governor falsely claimed in a public statement that the Unity Government had the option of calling fresh elections following the release of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on April 29, 2022, a day after then Premier Andrew A. Fahie was arrested in Miami.

Dr Wheatley had refuted the statement and declared he was not going to let the Governor "bamboozle" the people of the VI.

It was also in February that Premier Wheatley told the public that Governor Rankin was being bluntly untruthful when he laid the blame on the Unity Government and the House of Assembly for the controversial Bill entitled Police Act 2023, reaching the HoA late.

23 Responses to “Despite slight disagreements ‘it's been my joy’ to work with Gov Rankin– Premier”

  • herbs power (18/07/2023, 07:19) Like (14) Dislike (31) Reply
    Rankin you lied to the people about letting in the US agents to set up Andrew. I personally don't respect liers so get lost, the people need to carry you to court. Rankin Lier.
  • just asking (18/07/2023, 07:50) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is the man in the dark shades the Governors' bodyguard ?
  • both ah dem (18/07/2023, 07:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    2 mistakes
  • GOVERNOR DO US A FAVOUR (18/07/2023, 08:03) Like (22) Dislike (8) Reply
    DISSOLVE COUNCIL SHORTLY BEFORE YOU LEAVE AND ALLOW THE NEW GOVERNOR TO RUN THINGS UNTIL WE GET THIS TRAIN BACK ON TRACK
  • I DARE YOU SIR (18/07/2023, 08:04) Like (20) Dislike (7) Reply
    GO AHEAD AND SUSPEND THE CONSTITUTION
  • dont mind he (18/07/2023, 08:10) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    He glad the governor is leaving because he thinks that the new one will be a piece of cake
  • jah (18/07/2023, 08:58) Like (7) Dislike (11) Reply
    Not Rankin alone Need to go Collins Pam and those uk officers who is here joy riding
  • Different (18/07/2023, 09:30) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    I would hold the government to account but I do not support a UK takeover or suspension of constitution. There seems to be some malice aforethought on the governor's side. An ability to twist things but not highlight his own flaws and failures in terms of national security and the public service. A UK takeover will NOT be nice but the government needs to get its act in order.
  • Rubber Duck (18/07/2023, 09:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well you would like him Slowone because he let you get away with everything and did absolutely nothing to stop your ongoing fun in the cheese shop.

    I really dont know which one is worse.
  • Blake (18/07/2023, 10:47) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    A woman governor will be the next governor here. The UK with the white chauvinists philosophy must end.
  • Really Sir? (18/07/2023, 11:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t want to hear anything you have to say, if happen to see you, I am going to make the sign of the cross and give you my back to kiss. You and the rest should have been taken out in HANDCUFFS. You and a the rest day soon come. When Rankin step off the Island, WE ARE GOING TO FEEL THE WRATH THAT IS HEADING OUR WAY.THE HAMMER IS GOING TO DROP ON OUR HEADS. THE INNOCENT IS GOING TO SUFFER FOR THE GUILTY. REMEMBER THE WORLD TRADE CENTER? THE INNOCENT SUFFERED FOR THE GUILTY.
  • Interested (18/07/2023, 11:26) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    It was a joy to work with him and yet you complained him to the United Nations? Was that due to a slight disagreement?
    • @ interested (18/07/2023, 15:11) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      THIS COMMENT RIGHT HERE!!!!!

      He's only saying that now because of the Governor's impending departure.

      Can't trust a thing that comes out the Premier mouth.
  • ... (18/07/2023, 11:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How can UK propose to take over when they cant even keep our police stations open beyond the hours of a 9 - 5 job while being adequately funded by our local government?

    They want to enter 12th grade when they even cant graduate from elementary??????
  • Turtle Dove (18/07/2023, 12:31) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Let me throw this out there! If the premier wasn’t married and it had a premier’s house and he carried his woman to live in the premier’s house, what would be the reaction of the people? Would the Christian Council put out a petition against the premier having his woman residing in premier’s house? Why isn’t the Christian Council petitioning against the Governor having his woman living in government house off our tax payers money as the Virgin Islands pays 50% of the expenses for the Governor but them could put out petition against Byron Messia! Double standard in this place! Wrong is right depending on who is doing it in the Virgin Islands!
    • @ Turtle Dove (18/07/2023, 15:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      There you go deflecting again.

      That's what people like you do.

      I guess the Christian Counsel must put a petition out for all the people having sex and not yet married, getting bay out of wedlock, etc.

      Use what sense you have left and understand that the petition is AGAINST something that could negatively impacts the territory such as the violent lyrics then you is one who defending this Messia character but would be crying about a family member or friend who got killed by a gun then petitioning to put down the guns and stop the violence.

      STOP being monkeys following the mASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • @ Turtle Dove (18/07/2023, 15:14) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      You cannot compare Byron Messia with the Governor
      Furthermore if the premiere or governor or whom ever chooses to have their Gf /fiancé whatever reside with them there’s nothing wrong with that
  • 911 (18/07/2023, 12:47) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    wait til the new governor shows up…..buckingham has plans, probably to return to his territory and takeover financial markets(that’s were the money is these days
  • @ TURTULE DOVE (18/07/2023, 13:30) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    OF ALL THE THINGS THAT IS GOING ON HERE , THE ONLY THING YOU CAN FIND TO YAP ABOUT , IS TO MONITER HOW MANY TIMES THE GOVERNOR GOES TO THE BATHROOM , YOUR MIND IS IN THE GUTTER , AND YOU NEED TO JOIN IT
  • OH MYYYYYYY (18/07/2023, 16:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    HATE TO SAY IT, THE BVI GOT SOMETHING COMING. YOU ALL WERE GIVEN MORE THAN ENOUGH ROPE TO HANG YOURSELVES. IF YOU WANT TO RUN AROUND SCARED WONDERING WHAT IS COMING, BY ALL MEANS DO SO. ONCE RANKIN LEAVES OFFICE AND THE NEW GOVERNOR STEPS IN THAT IS WHEN THINGS IS GOING TO CHANGE.


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