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Nine conferred with UK citizenship 

Governor John S. Duncan OBE and Registrar General Stephanie Benn flanked by the new British citizens following the ceremony at the Government House today March 10, 2016. Photo: VINO
Governor John S. Duncan making his remarks to the newly conferred British citizens. Photo: VINO
Governor John S. Duncan making his remarks to the newly conferred British citizens. Photo: VINO
The new batch of British citizens during the ceremony today. Photo: VINO
The new batch of British citizens during the ceremony today. Photo: VINO
Taking their Affirmation of Allegiance and Pledge of Loyalty to the UK. Photo: VINO
Taking their Affirmation of Allegiance and Pledge of Loyalty to the UK. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Nine persons today March 10, 2016 became brand new citizens of the United Kingdom, enabling them to enjoy all the rights and benefits and to have the responsibilities of being a British citizen.

The nine persons all received their certificates from the Governor His Excellency John S. Duncan OBE at a simple ceremony held at Government House in Road Town.

They are Colette Marietta Deane, Vincente Edwards Deane, Kiwana Tissa Emmanuel, Leonidas Aracelis Ramos De Garcia, Felipe Garcia George, Natasha Tracey Lewis, Pamela Joan Philip, Lydia Cecilia Plaugh and Joseph Clive Tyson. 

In delivering remarks at the ceremony Governor Duncan congratulated the new British citizens upon their momentous accomplishment.

“A few moments ago you give the oath of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen and the Pledge of Loyalty to the United Kingdom. This is a formal promise as you embrace your new nationality and consider the opportunities it offers. By reaching and obtaining British citizenship you have exercised the right to enjoy as British overseas territory citizens under the 2002 Legislation. Though a right it is nonetheless an important decision you have taken to seek British citizenship by registration and it is proper that the fulfilment of that process should be marked in a formal way the process and the ceremony at the end of it is a matter to which Ministers in Her Majesty’s Government in Britain attached great importance,” Governor Duncan said. 

According to the Governor, those ministers consider the taking of a new nationality as a matter of great significance for any individual. 

“British Law requires that those who acquired British nationality in this way must not only demonstrate a commitment to the United Kingdom but also a knowledge of its history, institutions and language,” the Governor said. 

He said that as an overseas territory and part of the realm of Her Majesty, the Virgin Islands has a special link with Great Britain for economic success in the global economy and is founded upon the fact that they share a common legal system. 

He urged the individuals to be ambassadors for the Virgin Islands in their new journey in life as British citizens.

“I hope as you exercise your new freedoms for travel and employment you will never forget that you will be ambassadors for your home base the British Virgin Islands where all of you have put down roots, where your contribution to the development of this community, as I’m sure already substantial, and where, as we collectively seek to seize the opportunities of the global economy, that contribution will be increasingly valuable,” Governor Duncan said.

21 Responses to “Nine conferred with UK citizenship ”

  • just asking... (10/03/2016, 16:40) Like (5) Dislike (20) Reply
    More?
    • DOWN ISLAND (11/03/2016, 06:03) Like (12) Dislike (7) Reply
      yes more, and there is nothing you can do about it, and much more to come.
  • Fraud (10/03/2016, 16:43) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    In the spirit of reciprocity, how many British citizens were made Virgin islanders?
    • @ Fraud (10/03/2016, 20:11) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      Gimme ah break
    • Hmm (10/03/2016, 20:48) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
      those get sort out privately.
    • hello (11/03/2016, 09:40) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      If the B V Islander were flocking to the shores of England in the masses, then maybe that would make sense but we don't see the benefit of giving up paradise in exchange for what.
  • Me (10/03/2016, 16:49) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    It takes 20 years and more to get exemption a wonder how long it takes to get a belonger?
    • bvi (10/03/2016, 20:23) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      Citizenship is a privilege, it is not a right
      • Really (10/03/2016, 23:09) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
        So why is a rite for BVIslanders to be British but British still have to be having work permit for 20 years?
        • bvi (11/03/2016, 09:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Go figure....
        • daffy duck (11/03/2016, 16:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          It's the same reason that you cannot get status in Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man.
        • Jackbenimble (15/03/2016, 08:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          It was part of the agreement. You want to see them flood this country? We still got a bad deal. Too much of them coming here for jobs. We don't want to go in their racist country. They are here because they did not have it better where they came from. Coming here trying to cut style from their 300 year old, wood-croaking flats and wondering how we got house and land? According to the king of b*words, 'haul your 'f**k" back where you came from. We are watching you. This is not S/Africa.
      • wize up (11/03/2016, 05:44) Like (23) Dislike (6) Reply
        @ BVI: for the black west Indians but mr white with and his green eye friends gets it within 5 years.....the west Indians comes here and help develop the territory; mr white and his friends come here and buys out territory then puts up his no trespassing notices also prevent the colored folks from using the beaches( you must talk the whole truth) yes!!! citizenship is a privilege but George White buys his privilege then have more "Right".....
    • wize up (11/03/2016, 05:52) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ Me: that 20 years thing is not for everyone in this territory: I know persons that here far less than 20 years BUT with the right money and right connections it can be done within 5 years especially for a good campaign contribution....
  • Hmm (10/03/2016, 20:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    not me but maybe you can s*ck the right c*ck and get it in less than 5
  • son of the soil (10/03/2016, 22:46) Like (14) Dislike (18) Reply
    Enough is enough. It's like ayo planning to give away this country?
  • ?????? (10/03/2016, 22:48) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Are they genuine?????
  • Me (11/03/2016, 07:33) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    Can nine UK citizens now become bvislanders? Haha, kidding, no not really . Im UK resident in bvi 31 years and not even residency. The whole things seems bias.
    • wize up (11/03/2016, 09:27) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ me: have you spoken to picko!!! simply go through one his rich white counterparts(friends)
      • Boo (11/03/2016, 10:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Have a chat with the Guv or Picko. Should sort that out for you lickity split
  • Educate your self (11/03/2016, 19:21) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    A born UK Citizen can APPLY for residence status after 3 years consistency living here in the BVI.
    Yes these person are getting UK Citizenship but that also took a long process as well, those are the very same law that the UK put in place.


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