After less than five months on the opposition, At-Large Representative Lorna Smith has once again crossed the floor in a surprise move that strengthens Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s government by …
March 13, 2025
February 17, 2025
Premier wants governor out of Cabinet
The Virgin Islands governor should be stripped of his role overseeing Cabinet meetings, leaving the elected members to manage the territory’s affairs on their own, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” …
December 3, 2024
EDITORIAL: Great March lessons still ring true today
Kudos to the hundreds of residents who took part in the recent re-enactment of the 1949 Great March. Together, they staged an impressive and appropriate commemoration of an enormously important …
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October 24, 2024
Governor has assented to 4 of 15 COI bills
Four of the 15 bills the House of Assembly passed recently pursuant to recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry have now received assent from Governor Daniel Pruce, according to Premier …
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August 1, 2024
Cops tight-lipped on weekend shootings
One man was killed and another seriously wounded in separate weekend shootings that officials described as unrelated. Police, however, have provided few details. Jareem Todman, 34, was shot multiple times …
July 18, 2024
Guv’s inquiry bill sparks cries of ‘dictatorship’
On Tuesday in the House of Assembly, two legislators used the word “dictatorship” to decry a bill that Governor Daniel Pruce is proposing to modernise the Commission of Inquiry Act …
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June 21, 2024
King honoured with parade
On Friday morning in Road Town, residents and tourists gathered around the Sir Olva Georges Plaza for the start of the Virgin Islands’ second birthday parade in honour of King …
May 30, 2024
Reform deadlines pushed forward
The deadline for delivering the delayed Commission of Inquiry reforms has been pushed to the end of August as Governor Daniel Pruce hailed a new understanding with Premier Dr. Natalio …
May 10, 2024
Guv pushes for press freedom
Calls for a freedom of information law in the territory are of “great interest” to Governor Daniel Pruce, but the matter has not been “live” during his time in his …
February 1, 2024
New governor swears in
The new governor of the Virgin Islands was sworn in to office Monday after arriving in the territory three days earlier. Upstairs in the House of Assembly building, Daniel Pruce …
January 26, 2024
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 …
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January 18, 2024
OECS blasts governor’s request for new powers
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and several British overseas territories have strongly condemned Governor John Rankin’s request to the United Kingdom government for extra powers that he claimed are …
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October 5, 2023
Guv upbeat on COI reforms, but says more work needed
Important progress has been made on governance reforms recommended last year by the Commission of Inquiry, but much more work is needed to ensure that they will “take root” by …
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July 6, 2023
New governor to arrive in January
A career diplomat with 34 years of experience will replace Governor John Rankin in January, the Governor’s Office announced on Friday. Daniel Pruce will take over at a fraught time …
August 18, 2022
Governor gets second Covid booster
Governor John Rankin has received his second booster shot at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, government announced Friday. Mr. Rankin encouraged other residents to get vaccinated, noting that the …
February 9, 2022
The 3 Cs: Governor talks Covid, COI, crime
Managing the pandemic, keeping up with the Commission of Inquiry, and overseeing changes within the public service made for a busy first year in office for Governor John Rankin. Mr. …
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October 21, 2021
Commission of Inquiry grills governor over United Kingdom’s role in the British Virgin Islands
During a Tuesday hearing with Governor John Rankin, the Commission of Inquiry probed whether successive governors have fulfilled their obligation under the Virgin Islands Constitution to support the people of …
June 30, 2021
LETTER — An open letter to the COI
It was not my intention to make a submission to the Commission of Inquiry, nor do I have any interest in appearing before it, but after hearing the evening news …
February 3, 2021
September 16, 2020
Bermuda governor to succeed Jaspert
Governor Gus Jaspert, who has served the Virgin Islands for just over three years, announced today that current Bermuda Governor John Rankin will take his place at the start of …
January 9, 2020
COMMENTARY — Drag racing slammed in open letter
Dear Governor Gus Jaspert and Police Commissioner Michael Matthews: I have written to you both numerous times about the drag racing that started about two months ago from 6 p.m. …
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December 19, 2019
Guv: 2019 ‘a year of change’
During a final meeting with the press before the end of the year, Governor Gus Jaspert gave updates on various issues in the territory, as well as a year-in-review that …
November 8, 2019
Guv: Report on BVI Airways coming soon
The Office of the Auditor General will soon complete a report on the failed BVI Airways deal that cost taxpayers $7.2 million, Governor Gus Jaspert told the media last week …
August 22, 2019
Premier, guv face off over loan guarantee
In a surprise move last week, Premier Andrew Fahie publicly pushed back against the conditions the United Kingdom would attach to the £300 million loan guarantee that it first offered …
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March 21, 2019
Governor explains the recovery loan delays
During a press conference on Friday, Governor Gus Jaspert emphasised the importance of recovery and development, including the £300 million United Kingdom loan guarantee that would allow the Virgin Islands …
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