UK to VI: 'We reserve the right to take any appropriate actions necessary in future'
In a letter to the Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), from the Minister of State for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, Stephen J. Doughty, dated September 22, 2025, Minister Doughty claimed that the Virgin Islands is "a valued part of our global British family" and that the UK is committed to working with Premier Wheatley and his administration in a "mutually respectful relationship" based on respective responsibilities.
Adding that he sincerely hopes the UK and the VI are now entering a new chapter for the Virgin Islands and "our relationship", Minister Doughty then essentially reminded the Premier that the UK has the final say on matters affecting the territory.
'We reserve the right...'- UK
"You will understand, of course, we reserve the right to take any appropriate actions necessary in future, to work with you to uphold good governance, security and the rule of law, in line with our respective constitutional responsibilities and, most importantly, the mutual interests of the people of the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom."
The draft Order in Council, which threatened to suspend the Virgin Islands' Constitution, was instituted by the UK 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.
Many had described the reserved Order in Council as "a gun to the head of the Virgin Islands", while others referred to it as the "Sword of Damocles" and that it was not a display of a "partnership" that the UK was touting.
The move was condemned by regional and international bodies, and persons in the Virgin Islands had marched against a possible UK takeover.
Meanwhile, Minister Doughty said he was looking forward to seeing the Premier in London for the Joint Ministerial Council in November.
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9 Responses to “UK to VI: 'We reserve the right to take any appropriate actions necessary in future'”
Nothing is wrong with what they've said. It's pretty simple, as long as the relationship is what it is currently where we are a contingent liability to the UK, they reserve the right to do what they deem necessary should sh** start getting out of hand. If we decide to go independent then we do not have that worry, but rather bigger worries.
An atypical slave masters response, to the descendants of slaves!
But, as Virgin Islanders, we always knew who they were!!
Baroness Hodge, NOTWITHSTANDING!!
NEXT!!!
We, the slave offsrping have no political legal rights to demanded the the slave master offspring.
In some ways the physical brutalities of slaves has curbed, but in others they have increased, both financially, and politically,
But from a level playing field that's a no, no.
True, the B.V.I is on of many UK Overseas Territory. But the majority of people that are now living in the B.V.I are African by origin, but this do not automatically gave us the political right to take over, and act as we please, as are being challenged, being done, and encouraging by our, if not all, most of our political leaders, our Premier being the leader of the rebellious plot, in many, an my opinion.
It is a political lie that the UK is trying to take over the the VI, as if the UK owns the the VI illegally. Yes, the UK do owns the B.V.I, not our tax money-grabbing, politicians that has raised their salary secretely.without public knowledge.
In this topic reference report, the Premier was told by the UK'S Government Minister, Doughty, to come to Londont for the joint Ministrial Council in November. If he is physically and mentally well, he has to go, if he refused to go, he will be rightfully, and legally fired by the UK'S government. believe or not.