UK agrees to lift draft Order in Council placed on VI
This decision was conveyed to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in a letter from the Minister of State for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, Stephen J. Doughty, and dated September 22, 2025.
According to the letter seen by our News Centre, Hon Doughty is satisfied that Premier Wheatley's government, working closely with the Governor and the public service, made important and significant progress towards governance reform and that some of his earlier concerns have been addressed.
He added that while progress has been slower than initially envisaged, many significant pieces of legislation have been passed, and the agreed Framework actioned.
UK takeover will 'not be required'
"Given the progress made, while a number of important concerns remain about the implementation of the measures delivered, the Foreign Secretary, on my advice, has concluded that an Interim Administration will, however, not be required and has therefore issued instruction to “lift” the draft Order in Council (through revocation) that would have provided for an Interim Administration.
"This will take some months practically to take effect, and my officials will discuss the details with you in due course."
Hon Doughty said ensuring continued implementation of these reforms is vital and the UK and VI must work together to build on these foundations, to secure good governance that is sustainable in the long term and delivers for the people of the Virgin Islands.
Monitoring mechanism
To that end, Hon Doughty said he has instructed the Governor to establish a monitoring mechanism, consisting of the publication of six-monthly reviews of good governance, in line with the quarterly reviews conducted since 2022.
"To ensure transparency, I have asked that the Governor make these public, to keep the people of the Virgin Islands informed of progress. I am also keen to continue to hear directly the views of the people and would suggest that we agree to conduct a joint annual survey on implementation and wider good governance to be made public."
The draft Order in Council was instituted in 2022, almost immediately following the arrest of former Premier Andrew A. Fahie in Miami. It was designed to force the VI to implement "recommendations" in a Commission of Inquiry Report.
The move was condemned by regional and international bodies, and persons in the Virgin Islands had marched against a possible UK takeover.
On May 9, 2025, Premier Wheatley said the VI had fulfilled its obligations under the Framework Agreement, and as such called for the lifting of the Order in Council—a controversial legislative instrument enacted in 2022 that enables the UK government to impose direct rule should the reforms fail.
“We believe that we've done everything we have needed to do to be able to see that Order in Council lifted,” he had said.
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33 Responses to “UK agrees to lift draft Order in Council placed on VI”
Yes raise up and support the politicians who have them self the greedy bill and double there pay on top of that while they complain about raising minimum wage
Yes get up support our politicians who gave our grants to them family fans friends and government workers who were fake fishers and farmers
Yes raise up and support our wonderful leaders who can't fix government infrastructure since Irma 2017
Yes raise up and support our leaders who fumbled our tax money over and over again on schemes of self enrichment pier park scandal, bi water, bi airways, eshs wall, bank of Asia, COVID grants
Yes raise up and support our leaders our heros who are unable to provide constant running water to your home after 6pm while you pay tax
Yes raise up and support our strong trustworthy leaders while they drive government issues vehicles and you drive you private car on the messed up roads further putting you into expense on repairs
Yes raise up and support our politicians who are afraid to put a proper price control on goods and supermarkets while you spend 200 dollars on 3 bags of groceries while getting 50c discount
Yes our politicians have saved the day again ! Independence is a must
Lest make Skelton cline our advisor or again or better yet deputy premier!
Let's the unity government back together again and sing kumbaya
Stop pulling down your own Complexion during House Assembly
Asking for a friend
I wonder if Andrew got the news...
All what was revealed in black and white and not one corrupted official went to jail
Heck not even the people who benefited from the scheme outside of government didn't went to jail
No consequences at all . Just some changes to in legislation until the find another way to the cheese.
UK a joke mehson. Order in council wasn't even threat. Just a poking stick
Since y'all removed it try get rid of all them cops y'all got here from UK for Coi. Send them home from wasting we tax money. The politicians them done wasting it for us we don't need more burden on it thnx .
Bermuda Prime Minister's salary is approx. $207,285 USD
Trinidad Prime Minister's salary is approx $155,364 USD
Barbados Prime Minister's salary is approx.$113,163 USD
St. Kitts Prime Minister's salary is approx. $100,000 USD
Jamaica Prime Minister's salary is approx. $57,545 USD
WHY ARE THESE CROOKED BVI MINISTERS RECEIVING MORE THAN BIGGER COUNTRIES.
FAHIE WAS BROUGHT DOWN THINKING HE WAS RIDING HIGH AND THEY TOO WILL BE HUMBLED IN DUE SEASON.
We cannot surrender, we will not surrender, we need to the VIP back in office
The HOA’s got pie charts saying, “Folks, there’s nothing there!”
A minuscule percentage, just crumbs in the tin—
So where did all the millions go, who pocketed the win?
Not on the roads, still full of holes,
Not teaching Immigration how to mind their roles.
Not fixing derelict cars left to rust in the sun,
(We’re still paying that fee—ain’t corruption fun?)
Maybe Vybz Kartel dropped by for a show,
Or allowances for Ministers—they always seem to grow.
Maybe youth offending schemes swallowed up the stash,
Or $36K a month for some office rent in cash.
No street water flowing, taps still run dry,
But pensions and perks reach all the way to the sky.
They say it’s all “transparent,” tied up with a bow,
Yet the part about allowances?—they forgot to show.
Move the money here, shuffle it there,
Like a card trick magician—“Now it’s gone! Where?”
The Greedy Bill lurking, pensions fat for life,
While taxpayers juggle inflation and strife.
Strange timing indeed for the Order to be lifted,
When scandals run rampant and pockets look gifted.
Perhaps a Baroness visit, tea cup in hand,
Could sprinkle some honesty back on the land.
So Lord, hear our prayer, from Road Town to East End,
Our coffers are bleeding, we need you again.
For at high noon the bandits don’t wear masks, they wear ties,
And rob us with budgets, excuses, and lies.