Speaking at a press conference today, July 21, 2025, Premier Dr teh Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said that while in London, he discussed with the Minister for Overseas Territories, Stephen J. Doughty, his final assessment of the Implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations, the progress made, and the VI Government’s commitment to good governance. Photo: Facebook

Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said he was encouraged by the open and constructive discussion with UK Overseas Territories Minister Stephen J Doughty, left, and he is now looking forward to the decision of Foreign Secretary David L. Lammy regarding the lifting of the Order in Council. Photo: Facebook/File

Speaking at a press conference today, July 21, 2025, Premier Wheatley said that while in London, he discussed with the Minister for Overseas Territories, Stephen J. Doughty, his final assessment of the Implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations, the progress made, and the VI Government’s commitment to good governance.

“Minister Doughty commended the Governance Reform Programme and indicated that a final decision would be made based on our meeting and a follow-up meeting with the Foreign Secretary later this month.

“I was encouraged by the open and constructive discussion with Mr Doughty, and I look forward to the Foreign Secretary’s decision,” Premier Wheatley stated.

Dr Wheatley said he was pleased that Minister Doughty acknowledged the VI’s progress on the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry recommendations and that the territory did everything it was asked to do.

Concerns

The Premier did note; however, that Minister Doughty expressed concerns about sustaining the level of progress even if there is a change of government.

Asked whether he was optimistic that the Order in Council would not be lifted and the UK wouldn’t come up with another delaying tactic, Premier Wheatley said he could only take the UK at their word.

“Minister Doughty expressed that he was pleased that we did what we were supposed to do, but I know there are some persons, unfairly so, who might want to see that Order in Council remain because they have other concerns separate from the Commission of Inquiry.”

He said, for instance, there may be some persons who may still want the Virgin Islands to be forced to have public registers, despite it not being a global standard, and may see an Order in Council as a tool to pressure the VI in that direction.

“There may be some persons who might be seeking to influence the Overseas Territories Minister and the Foreign Secretary. It’s ultimately a decision for the Foreign Secretary to have that Order in Council removed, so we’re just hopeful that the Minister and the Foreign Secretary will keep those issues separate and recognise that we did what we were supposed to do under the Framework Agreement and lift that Order in Council,” Premier Wheatley stated.