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Opposition vows to support government in matters relating to CoI reforms
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Opposition Members in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) have vowed to support the government over what was referred to as a ‘perfect storm’ over several issues in the VI, including matters related to the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report.
‘Work on 50 of the 50 CoI framework recommendations has begun’- Premier
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has reported that work on all 50 of the CoI framework recommendations has begun, with the work split into a number of actions for completion by the May 2024 substantive deadline for full implementation.
OECS condemns ‘strongly’ Governor’s efforts to undermine legitimate VI Gov’t
CASTRIES, St Lucia- The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has said Heads of Government of the OECS has “noted with alarming concern”, the evolving situation in the [British] Virgin Islands (VI), regarding the request by the Governor for additional powers which will allow him to bypass the Territorial Government, and implement unilaterally, the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) for governance reforms in the territory.
‘It would be a clear colonial act’ if Governor is given additional powers- Premier
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said both his government and Members of the Opposition are “highly disappointed” with Governor John J. Rankin, CMG requesting additional powers from the United Kingdom to further force the Virgin Islands to hastily implement reforms “recommended” by a retired judge following a Commission of Inquiry held during the COVID-19 pandemic.
UK’s ‘Order in Council’ not suitable in a modern partnership– Premier Wheatley
ROAD TOWN, Tortola VI – Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) continues to blast the hovering Order in Council in place to suspend the constitution of the Virgin Islands (VI) should the Government of the Virgin Islands fail to implement change as recommended in the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report.
Governor threatens ‘additional action’ if no significant progress in CoI reforms by Dec 2023
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Unelected Governor of the Virgin Islands John J. Rankin, CMG has threatened additional action, should the Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley government not progress with the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommended reforms by December 2023.
Proposed deadlines by Gov’t for reforms ‘not sufficiently ambitious’- Gov Rankin
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- United Kingdom (UK) appointed Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has released another damning Quarterly Review on the Implementation of Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations.
‘We didn’t speak specifically about removal of Order in Council’- Premier
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Although holding the position that the Order in Council held in reserve to partially suspend the Virgin Islands VI) constitution is not representative of a modern partnership, the recent VI delegation to the United Kingdom (UK) did not make discussion for its removal a priority.
Progress on implementing CoI recommendations too slow- Lord Goldsmith
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- United Kingdom (UK) Minister for the Overseas Territories Lord Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith has indicated that progress on implementing recommendations in the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) framework document has been too slow.
UK wants CoI reforms to ‘go further’ before lifting of Order in Council- Premier
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Despite international and regional bodies condemning the imperialistic Order in Council to suspend the Virgin Islands constitution and impose direct rule, the Unity Government has so far been unsuccessful in getting the United Kingdom (UK) Government to remove the Order.
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