The lives of business owners could be put at risk if the government allows full public access to the beneficial-ownership register it plans to launch by June, according to Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn.
In a show of cross-party consensus, Mr. Walwyn defended Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley from international criticism that his planned access regime is too restrictive.
However, he also launched his own criticism of the government for failing to launch an economic strategy he said is required by law.
Restrictions
In recent months, Mr. Wheatley has resisted calls from senior British politicians and transparency advocates to soften his plan to limit register access to people who can prove a “legitimate interest” in viewing it.
Mr. Walwyn backed the premier’s defiance at a press conference last Thursday.
“I support the government’s view on legitimate interest, particularly on the grounds of privacy,” he said. “People have a right to privacy.”
He then suggested that allowing wider access could lead to violence against company owners.
“I don’t believe that we should open the register to just anybody who wants to run fishing expeditions,” he said. “When you look at it in terms of proportionality and balance, you could be jeopardising the lives of many persons.”
Transparency campaigners, however, argue that the system proposed by the government — which would notify company owners of who has searched for their information — would endanger journalists and others seeking to investigate crimes.
Last week, Mr. Walwyn added that safeguards are already in place to allow law enforcers to access ownership data in the Virgin Islands.
“We should continue to work with law enforcement if there is legitimate interest, reasonable grounds for inquiry into information,” he said. “If you have a legitimate interest or a particular concern — something of a criminal nature or otherwise — you could go through the legitimate channels and get information if the structure is there.”
Economic matters
But Mr. Walwyn’s support for the premier stopped abruptly when it came to wider economic matters.
The opposition leader seized on Mr. Wheatley’s recent claim at the Buy BVI Expo that the economy is “struggling” in part because residents aren’t supporting local businesses.
“[Mr. Wheatley] did say the economy is struggling, and then he did try to qualify,” Mr. Walwyn said. “I think his brain cells caught up with his mouth, and then he came up with this story of money coming out and going in.”
Mr. Walwyn also accused the premier of failing to adhere to legislation governing his role.
“The truth is that there is no economic plan,” he said. “The Public Finance Management Act mandates that he has an economic plan. And an economic plan should have been laid in the House at the beginning of his term. The premier is breaking the act.”
Press conference to come
Mr. Wheatley told the Beacon that he will respond to Mr. Walwyn’s allegations during his next press conference, which has not yet been scheduled.
