Former premier Andrew Fahie’s sentencing on drug-conspiracy charges was initially scheduled for this month in Miami, but it has been delayed until June 25 after his lawyer requested more time …
Bill keeps restrictions on interests register
When lawmakers voted in July 2022 to make the Register of Interests public as advised by the Commission of Inquiry, they also added several viewing restrictions that drew strong criticism …
Continue reading “Bill keeps restrictions on interests register”
Andrew Fahie’s place on the wall
Hanging behind Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s chair in the House of Assembly in Road Town is a portrait of former premier Andrew Fahie. Asked Friday if Mr. Fahie’s photo …
A new UK gov’t could press VI to adopt global tax
Pressure could be brought down on the Virgin Islands to bring in the 15 percent Global Minimum Tax on multinational giants if there is a change of United Kingdom government …
Continue reading “A new UK gov’t could press VI to adopt global tax”
Immigration Policy keeps 20-year rule the COI deemed ‘unlawful,’ but law could change soon to match it
The government’s new Immigration Policy keeps in place a 20-year residency requirement for belongership applicants that the Commission of Inquiry previously deemed “unlawful” under the Immigration and Passport Act. However, …
Money laundering report brings threat of ‘grey list’
A major international report released Monday raises serious concerns about the territory’s ability to deal with money laundering and other financial crime, leading one expert to warn that “red lights” …
Continue reading “Money laundering report brings threat of ‘grey list’”
New law aims to free up millions from tourist levy
For more than six years, the government has been collecting a $10 levy from most non-cruise ship visitors as required by the 2017 Environmental Protection and Tourism Improvement Fund Act. …
Continue reading “New law aims to free up millions from tourist levy”
Next steps unclear in Fahie drug case
Two weeks after a Miami jury found former premier Andrew Fahie guilty of a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, his future remains uncertain as attorneys spar over whether the court should investigate …
House of Assembly re-forms Commission of Inquiry committee
Following harsh criticism from United Kingdom officials over delayed Commission of Inquiry reforms, the House of Assembly has renewed a committee tasked with overseeing legislative initiatives recommended by the COI. …
Continue reading “House of Assembly re-forms Commission of Inquiry committee”
OT minister brings sharp warning
Last month, outgoing governor John Rankin wrote to United Kingdom Overseas Territories Minister David Rutley to request additional powers to help his successor push through delayed Commission of Inquiry reforms. …
57 big ideas for the new Constitution
Adding two at-large seats to the House of Assembly. Amending the Constitution to grant the public an explicit right to access government information. Holding a referendum on whether to adopt …
In exit interview, Rankin talks COI, Fahie arrest, Covid
Was the United Kingdom aware of allegations linking then-Premier Andrew Fahie to crimes before it launched the Commission of Inquiry? Did Governor John Rankin authorise the United States sting operation …
Continue reading “In exit interview, Rankin talks COI, Fahie arrest, Covid”
Governor bids farewell
In January 2021, Governor John Rankin arrived in the Virgin Islands days after his predecessor dropped a political bombshell by announcing a Commission of Inquiry into possible corruption in the …
EDITORIAL: Police should name the senior public official they charged
At a time when public trust in the Virgin Islands government has been deeply shaken, public officials at all levels must do everything they can to help restore it. This …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Police should name the senior public official they charged”
Constitutional review report now complete
The Constitutional Review Commission has completed and submitted its final report, which will soon go to Cabinet and then be tabled in the House of Assembly for debate, according to …
Continue reading “Constitutional review report now complete”
Premier: 24 of 50 COI recs complete
Works to implement the Commission of Inquiry reforms are still progressing steadily, according to Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. As of September, 24 of 50 recommendations from last year’s COI …
Premier pledges to meet COI deadlines
A week after Governor John Rankin released his most recent quarterly report on the Commission of Inquiry recommendations, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley defended his government’s progress on the reforms …
What to know about belongership review as meetings start
Last year, the Commission of Inquiry report recommended a review designed in part to clarify a controversial question in the Virgin Islands: How many years must an expatriate live here …
Continue reading “What to know about belongership review as meetings start”
EDITORIAL: Crown land reform a long time in coming
We are delighted that the government plans to launch a public crown land register that can be viewed online. Even better, the register is only one part of ongoing reforms …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Crown land reform a long time in coming”
Gov’t aims to reform debt management
As part of ongoing efforts to implement reforms suggested by the 2022 Commission of Inquiry report, the government is working with the Commonwealth Secretariat to improve the way public debt …
Constitutional review gets six extra months
The Constitutional Review Commission has requested and received a six-month extension beyond its original June deadline to produce a report, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said recently in the House …
Continue reading “Constitutional review gets six extra months”
Belongership report now complete
A review of belongership and residency is complete, and a report will be tabled in the House of Assembly soon, according to Premier’s Office Permanent Secretary Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe. The update …
Premier defends progress of COI reforms
Despite the recent change in overseas territory ministerial leadership and the pending change of governor early next year, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said on July 25 that progress on …
Four years later, climate board is back
Less than two months after then-Premier Andrew Fahie’s Virgin Islands Party government came to power in February 2019, the Cabinet unlawfully revoked the membership of the VI Climate Change Trust …
Rankin: COI reform progress ‘still too slow’
Virgin Islands leaders will have to speed up governance reforms to meet an important May 2024 deadline, Governor John Rankin said on June 9 while giving an update on his …
Continue reading “Rankin: COI reform progress ‘still too slow’”