Minister sent to BVI for talks after calls for direct rule
THE Government dispatched a minister to the British Virgin Islands yesterday after an inquiry called for a return of direct rule.
In what has been a turbulent week for the overseas territory, BVI Premier Andrew Fahie was arrested in the US for alleged drug trafficking and money laundering.
Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, said Amanda Milling, the minister for overseas territories, was travelling to the territory for talks with the BVI governor and other senior figures yesterday.
She said the Government would outline the next steps for the island’s governance following the discussions.
The string of islands east of Puerto Rico, inhabited by 35,000 people, has limited self-governance under a governor who is the ultimate executive authority as the Queen’s representative.
An inquiry into corruption in the territory, led by retired judge Sir Gary Hickinbottom, found that the people of the British Virgin Islands have been “badly served” by its government.
In the report, published on April 4, Sir Gary recommended the Governor take direct rule of the territory for two years, stating: “Almost everywhere, the principles of good governance, such as openness, transparency and even the rule of law, are ignored.”
Natalio Wheatley, the BVI’s acting premier, said he opposes a recommendation that the UK take direct control of the territory after Mr Fahie appeared in a US court on charges linked to drugs trafficking.
In a statement, Mr Wheatley said he was “very concerned” about the recommendation. “What this would mean in real terms is that there would be no more elected representatives who represent the people of the districts and the territory in the House of Assembly where laws are made for our society,” Mr Wheatley said.
“There also would be no government ministers to advance the public’s priorities or a cabinet to approve policy. All of this authority would be vested in the Governor.
“The benefit of representative democracy to the public is the understanding and responsiveness of their elected representatives to their challenges, who also serve as conduits of their views, especially on reforms.”