The framework for carrying out Commission of Inquiry recommendations includes a deluge of deadlines for July, but Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said last week that his National Unity Government …
July 29, 2022
July 29, 2022
HOA okays public Register of Interests
On June 30, legislators missed their deadline to make the Register of Interests public and establish penalties for violating declaration rules. On July 21, however, they passed a bill to …
July 27, 2022
HOA officially ‘rejects’ direct UK rule
More than a month ago, the new National Unity Government agreed to work with the United Kingdom to carry out reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry — thereby avoiding …
July 19, 2022
Interests bill tabled, but not passed by deadline
The House of Assembly missed its deadline on June 30 to pass legislation to reform the Register of Interests by making it public. However, Governor John Rankin said the next …
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July 19, 2022
Premier, guv tout reform progress
Despite a missed deadline to publish the Register of Interests by June 30, Governor John Rankin and Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said on July 1 that they are pleased …
July 18, 2022
Ministers field questions on COI reforms
This week residents were given the first public opportunity to weigh in on the plan the Virgin Islands and United Kingdom governments have agreed for carrying out every Commission of …
June 30, 2022
‘Unfettered discretion’ out the door for grants
Assistance grants that were formerly disbursed at elected officials’ discretion will now be administered by the Social Development Department after the Commission of Inquiry blasted the existing system for a …
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June 3, 2022
Government in talks with Britain on proposal
On May 11, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced that his National Unity Government was waiting for the United Kingdom to respond to a proposal for carrying out governance reforms …
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June 3, 2022
Commission of Inquiry cost government more than $8 million
The Virgin Islands government has paid out more than $8 million in responding to the United Kingdom-led Commission of Inquiry, most of which went toward covering legal fees, Premier Dr. …
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May 27, 2022
COI blasts gov’t handling of statutory boards
Statutory boards in the territory are supposed to function independently, but many fall far short of that ideal because of political interference and inadequate appointment practices, a cording to the …
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May 26, 2022
HOA committee says Willock should pay legal fees
A special committee of the House of Assembly has recommended against using public funds to pay more than $100,000 in legal costs that former HOA Speaker Julian Willock incurred while …
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May 26, 2022
Wheatley promises change ‘at every level’
As the Virgin Islands awaits a decision from the United Kingdom on a possible period of direct rule, the new National Unity Government is promising a “fresh start” with widespread …
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May 19, 2022
$6.5 million paid to Withers during inquiry
Though government paid the United Kingdom-headquartered law firm Withers LLP $6.5 million for representation during the Commission of Inquiry, not all branches of government benefited from the firm’s services, according …
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May 19, 2022
Direct-rule concerns aired at UN meeting
As the Virgin Islands waited to learn whether the United Kingdom will impose direct rule, Special Envoy of the Premier Benito Wheatley provided an update to the United Nations Special …
May 19, 2022
Government makes plans ahead of UK decision
The territory waited in limbo after the newly formed National Unity Government privately sent the United Kingdom a proposal last week to make reforms locally without the two-year dissolution of …
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May 13, 2022
Premier hoping for UK word on direct rule ‘very soon’
Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley hopes the territory will hear “very soon” whether the United Kingdom will impose direct rule for two years here, he said in a press conference …
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May 12, 2022
UPDATE: Guv announces criminal probes advised by COI
Governor John Rankin has instructed Police Commissioner Mark Collins to launch several criminal investigations recommended by the recently published Commission of Inquiry report. The investigations will probe four areas, Mr. …
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May 12, 2022
Government sends proposal to UK, but it’s not public
The newly formed “National Unity Government” has sent the United Kingdom a proposal to make reforms locally without the two-year dissolution of the House of Assembly as recommended in the …
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May 12, 2022
COI slams ‘attack’ on registrar of interests
For 13 years as the territory’s first registrar of interests, Victoreen Romney-Varlack worked tirelessly to urge reluctant House of Assembly members to register their interests as required by law, according …
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May 4, 2022
HOA offers plan to avoid direct UK rule
In an attempt to avoid the partial suspension of the Constitution and a temporary takeover of the Virgin Islands government by the United Kingdom, VI political leaders are proposing that …
May 2, 2022
Marchers protest direct UK rule, but others open
“Whose country is this?” Angelle Cameron shouted to a crowd gathered Monday morning along the road near the Governor’s Office. “Ours!” the crowd yelled back. “Whose country is this?” “Ours!” …
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April 29, 2022
COI officially recommends 2-year UK takeover [FULL REPORT INCLUDED]
The day after Premier Andrew Fahie’s arrest in Miami, Governor John Rankin said Friday morning that he had decided to expedite the release of the Commission of Inquiry report, which …
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April 28, 2022
COI report to be public in June, guv says
After finishing an initial review of the 1,000-plus-page report by the Commission of Inquiry, Governor John Rankin said on April 21 that he will disclose it to leaders in the …
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January 6, 2022
COI report delayed 3 more months
Another delay of the Commission of Inquiry report that would have been due this month means it may not be delivered until April, Governor John Rankin said Tuesday. The delay …
December 3, 2021
Premier pushed for EZ Shipping border barges, guv says
In a move that cost taxpayers more than $2 million, Premier Andrew Fahie authorised the use of three barges owned by EZ Shipping for border security during the Covid-19 pandemic …
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