The controversial draft Order in Council by the United Kingdom (UK) to suspend the Virgin Islands (VI) Constitution is to be lifted. Photo: VINO/File

The lifting of the Order in Council comes after Minister for the United Kingdom Overseas Territories the Right Honourable Stephen J Doughty MP, 3rd from left, met with Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D Wheatley (R7), then Leader of the Opposition Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), other members of government, and senior public officials in the VI in November 2024. Photo: GIS

On May 9, 2025, Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) 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. Photo: Facebook

On May 2, 2022, scores of Virgin Islanders protested the possible suspension of the local constitution and imposition of direct rule. Photo: VINO

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.