Britain is seeking a “reset” of relations with the Virgin Islands and other overseas territories, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said following discussions in London between United Kingdom ministers and OT …
November 29, 2024
November 22, 2024
EDITORIAL: UK minister missed the mark on transparency
For decades, successive governors and other United Kingdom leaders have pressured the Virgin Islands government to be more transparent. They are right to do so. But the UK must also …
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November 14, 2024
UK leaves direct rule on table until 2025
London will not decide until next year whether to lift its threat to impose direct rule on the Virgin Islands, according to United Kingdom Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty. The …
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November 7, 2024
OT minister visits, avoiding press and public meetings
United Kingdom Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty visited the Virgin Islands this week to assess the recent Commission of Inquiry reforms and meet with leaders eager to convince him that …
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October 31, 2024
Audit blasts 2019-2022 contracting procedures
The government tendered fewer than half of the major contracts it awarded between 2019 and 2022, and it often passed over the lowest offer for the rest, according to a …
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October 22, 2024
Premier meets with London rep at UN
Following the United Nations’ recent adoption of a “Pact for the Future” to further sustainable development and other global goals, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley met last week with a …
October 11, 2024
Law enforcers trained in emergency care
In a move linked to the recent Commission of Inquiry recommendations, nearly 50 law enforcement officers have completed a certified course on emergency care and treatment in disasters. The one-week …
October 3, 2024
COI reforms off gov’t desk, premier says
After the House of Assembly passed the last of five bills to reform statutory bodies last Thursday, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley boasted this week that his government has completed …
September 26, 2024
Statutory board reforms continue
Over the past week, legislators passed four out of five bills designed to improve the governance of statutory bodies as the House of Assembly addressed its final reform recommendation from …
September 26, 2024
Fahie’s lawyers pull out as his funds come up short
Former premier Andrew Fahie has launched an appeal of his United States conviction on drug-conspiracy charges, but the Florida appeal lawyer who previously represented him is withdrawing from the case …
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September 19, 2024
Financial sector defended in London
A London meeting with more than 30 high-level figures from the British financial services sector was hailed a success by Deputy Premier Lorna Smith. The gathering at BVI House last …
September 19, 2024
House tackling last COI reform
The House of Assembly began tackling its final Commission of Inquiry reform this week as legislators debated the first of five bills designed to improve the governance of five statutory …
September 19, 2024
Premier hopes Doughty visit will end threat of direct rule
A November visit by Britain’s new overseas territories minister will be a crunch moment in the ongoing effort to get London to lift its threat to impose temporary direct rule …
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September 13, 2024
Anti-money-crime reforms rushed through HOA
Six bills intended to combat money crime and terrorism financing were rushed through the House of Assembly last week in a bid to avoid international sanction. Deputy Premier Lorna Smith …
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September 12, 2024
EDITORIAL: COI reforms must be finished, then followed
We are disappointed that the government and the governor missed their Aug. 31 deadline to complete the Commission of Inquiry reforms, but the delay does not detract from the extensive …
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September 12, 2024
Reform target just missed before talks in London
A last-minute rush brought more progress on the Commission of Inquiry reforms last week, but Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said he fell one short of his push to complete …
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September 4, 2024
12 bills laid days before COI deadline
Two days before the missed Saturday deadline for completing the sweeping reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry, the House of Assembly suspended its usual rules to introduce 12 bills. …
September 4, 2024
HOA votes to reform public service
After returning from a closed-door committee session last Thursday, the House of Assembly passed a bill designed to bring sweeping changes to the public service as part of the ongoing …
August 29, 2024
Governor signs off on public aid reform
Struggling residents will have new ways to get help under a law that received assent from Governor Daniel Pruce on Aug. 22, government announced. An amendment to the Public Assistance …
August 29, 2024
Civil service reform debated in House
Just ahead of the Saturday deadline for completing the Commission of Inquiry reforms, the House of Assembly has been debating a bill that would bring sweeping reforms to the …
August 22, 2024
HOA debating sweeping reforms for public service
A private register of interests for senior public officers. New integrity rules. The creation of a government department known as the Virgin Islands Public Service Learning Institute. All are among …
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August 20, 2024
EDITORIAL: Opposition should stop resisting COI reforms
For decades, successive Virgin Islands governments have shamelessly wasted the public’s money by awarding pork-barrel contracts to cronies and other unqualified bidders. Last month, a divided House of Assembly barely …
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August 17, 2024
Virgin Islands heading for intense financial scrutiny, experts predict
The Virgin Islands is headed for increasingly intense international scrutiny despite a government drive to push through a raft of anti-financial-crime measures in the coming weeks, experts have warned. Deputy …
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August 15, 2024
HOA okays vetting law enforcers
Certain prison, customs and immigration officers could soon be subject to new vetting requirements under a bill the House of Assembly passed recently in accordance with a Commission of Inquiry …
August 2, 2024
HOA votes to amend 2021 integrity act
The House of Assembly voted Friday to amend a 2021 integrity law that never took effect and strengthen an Integrity Commission that was never established. The Integrity in Public Life …
