Politics
UPDATED: Guavaberry Media’s Cindy Rosan asked to leave press conference

By MERRICK ANDREWS, Online News Editor
(JTV News) – Cindy Rosan, the owner and journalist for Guavaberry Media Inc., was asked by police and a senior government information officer to leave a press briefing called by Premier and Minister of Finance Natalio Wheatley on Monday afternoon, Feb. 20.
The Premier was scheduled to report on his recent attendance at the CARICOM meeting in The Bahamas.
However, the Premier left the room moments after arriving and greeting members.
Not long after that, JTV News observed Chief Information Officer Desiree Smith conversing with Rosan.
POLICE INTERVENTION
While seated in the conference room with other members of the media, JTV News’s Cathy Richards quizzed Rosan about the development.
She responded: “He doesn’t want me to sit in press conferences, he doesn’t want me to ask any questions on any platform as it relates to him. I have no legal, anything going on with the Premier. So for them to remove me from this press conference let them call the police and let them show me the GIS policy as it relates to journalists sitting in on press conferences.”
Rosan’s word came to pass, as shortly after, an officer from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force came and spoke with her. Two other officers stood at the entrance of the conference room.
Rosan did not budge.
“You have to give me just a reason why I can’t sit here, and the reasons are the policy of the GIS, a statement from the court or a judgement from the court. Those are the only reasons you gonna [have to use to] remove me from government offices today,” she said.
Asked again by Richards why isn’t she allowed to stay at the press conference, Rosan said: “Cathy, this thing has been unfolding for a little while, right, where I asked the Premier a few questions in his first press conference for the year. Couple days before I was supposed to join the Tola Radio Media pack, I was advised that the Premier doesn’t want to have any questions for me. I received a message in urgency from his lawyer and I personally knew that it was to stop me from being on any platform that he’s in. But he cannot make that decision. If you want to issue legal proceedings against me or Guavaberry Media you go and you file something in the court. It goes through a process. A case is put forward to the judge, it’s heard and the judge makes a decision. So unless you can give me a court-issued judgement. GIS can issue their policy, unedited — unedited as of the last press conference because I was in the last press conference with the governor — then I am going to sit here. And if they want to remove me then they will have to bring the police and have me arrested so the territory can see how much of a threat Natalio Wheatley is to democracy and free press in the Virgin Islands.”
Rosan said if the cops arrest her, she will not resist.
COMMUNICATION WITH GIS
When asked about her conversation with the GIS head, Rosan said Smith told her to come with her and bring her bag. Rosan said she indicated she preferred to leave her bag.
“She was trying to tell me that the Premier doesn’t want me here,” Rosan said.
The Guavaberry owner said she asked Smith to present a GIS policy, but Rosan told her that the policy hasn’t been updated in a while.
“I said I need to see it as of right now cause if you asking me to leave, I wanna see terms on why you want me to leave,” Rosan said. “I have no issue with the Premier at all.”
Rosan said she has always spoken on democracy, good governance, transparency, and abuse of office.
“Nothing new here,” she noted, “nobody is special when it comes to that.”
She said she has been asking questions on those topics for the last 10 years, ever since she returned to the territory.
About 45 minutes after the 2 p.m. press briefing was to start, all the journalists, including Rosan, walked out.
Rosan expressed gratitutde to the media for their support, saying the Premier should resign.
Responding to the fiasco on Guavaberry’s Facebook page, Rosan wrote: “The Premier of the Virgin Islands is attempting to have Guavaberry Media thrown out of his Press Conference. Guavaberry Media has no legal matters in the Court with the Premier of the Virgin Islands and Cindy Rosan, journalist and owner of Guavaberry Media, has asked GIS to present their policy as it relates to Sanctioning the media, or call the police to have her removed or cancel the press conference.”
A statement from the Premier’s Office by Desiree Smith was also released to the media. It read: “Persons are aware of the press briefing scheduled at 2:00 p.m. today Monday, February 20, 2023.
“Regrettably, we could not bring the press briefing as expected, and we do apologise for this inconvenience.
“In place of the press briefing, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley was able to report to the public via a press statement to provide the public with an update on his CARICOM meeting attendance.
“The press statement can be viewed on-demand on Facebook @BVIGovernment.”
The Premier eventually updated the nation on his CARICOM trip via broadcast and text.
Local News
Myron Walwyn Sworn in as Leader of the Opposition in the British Virgin Islands

Sixth District Representative Honourable Myron V. Walwyn has officially been sworn in as Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition by Governor Daniel Pruce. The ceremony, which took place ahead of the House of Assembly (HoA) sitting on Monday, March 24, marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the British Virgin Islands.
Walwyn’s appointment follows a formal request submitted to the Governor on Friday, March 21, by members of the recently formed opposition faction known as “The Alliance.” The letter, signed by Walwyn, Second District Representative Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull, and Honourable Stacy R. Mather, called for Walwyn to replace Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton as Opposition Leader. The Governor accepted the request in accordance with Section 70(5) of the British Virgin Islands Constitution, which allows opposition members to determine their leader by majority vote.
With The Alliance holding a majority within the Opposition, surpassing Skelton of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn of the National Democratic Party (NDP), the transition was all but assured. This realignment comes in the wake of internal disagreements within PVIM, particularly over a recent attempt by Skelton and Penn to dissolve PVIM and integrate its members into the NDP. That effort led to a rift within the Opposition, prompting Mather and Turnbull to shift their support away from Skelton.
The political maneuvering has raised speculation about potential challenges from Skelton or Penn in response to the change in leadership. However, for now, Walwyn assumes his role as Opposition Leader, with the responsibility of unifying the bloc amid ongoing internal divisions.
Meanwhile, the ruling Virgin Islands Party (VIP), led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, continues to maintain its eight-seat majority in the HoA. With the Opposition now under new leadership, political analysts will be watching closely to see how Walwyn steers his faction in the months ahead.
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Local News
`Alliance’ Moves to Unseat Skelton as Opposition Leader Ahead of HoA Sitting

Yet another political shift about to take effect in the British Virgin Islands as the recently formed “Alliance” has made moves to have Sixth District representative Honourable Myron V. Walwyn unseat and replace Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton as Leader of the Opposition, just days before the House of Assembly (HoA) convenes on Monday, March 24.
On Friday, March 21, Alliance members Walwyn, Second District Representative Melvin M. Turnbull and Stacy R. Mather, submitted a letter to Governor Daniel Pruce requesting Walwyn’s appointment as Opposition Leader. It is our information that the Governor has accepted the request in accordance with Section 70 subsection 5 of the British Virgin Islands Constitution, which permits opposition members to elect their leader by majority vote.

Hon. Stacy R. Mather,
The Alliance, holds a majority within the Opposition, surpassing the two remaining members—Skelton of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and Eighth District Representative Marlon A. Penn (R8) of the National Democratic Party (NDP). With this shift in alignment, Walwyn is expected to be sworn in as the new Opposition Leader during Monday’s HoA sitting, alongside the appointment of a new Deputy Speaker.
The leadership change follows recent attempts by Skelton and Penn to dissolve PVIM and integrate its members into the NDP. This move has deepened divisions within the Opposition, with Skelton losing the support of Mather and Turnbull, who were previously aligned with him under PVIM.
The development raises key questions: will Skelton and or Penn seek to challenge move of unseating Skelton?
The ruling Virgin Islands Party (VIP), led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, currently holds a solid eight-seat majority in the HoA. The new opposition bloc, now to be under Walwyn’s leadership, will need to address internal divisions and work to redefine its role in the territory’s governance.
The developments will be closely monitored when the HoA sits on Monday, as Walwyn is likely to assumes his new role amid a rapidly changing political landscape.

Hon. Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull
Local News
BVI Premier Seeks Constitutional Amendment to Establish Minister of State Position

Premier Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley has announced plans to pursue a constitutional amendment to formalise the appointment of a Minister of State, a position currently not recognised under the British Virgin Islands’ constitutional framework. The revelation came during an interview on The Big Story with JTV’s Cathy Richards on March 11, where the Premier addressed recent shifts within his administration, including the return of Hon. Lorna G. Smith to government and the reassignment of Hon. Karl Dawson.
The changes, announced earlier in the day, saw Dawson’s removal as Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, while Smith was designated as Minister of State. However, Wheatley acknowledged that the position does not yet legally exist, requiring approval from the United Kingdom to be formally established.
“In the Westminster system, there are different types of junior ministers, including Ministers of State and Parliamentary Under-Secretaries,” Wheatley explained. “While our current constitution allows for junior ministers, we would need an amendment to introduce the Minister of State designation.”
The Premier confirmed that he has informally raised the matter with the Governor and intends to discuss it further in an upcoming meeting with UK Minister for Overseas Territories, Steven Doughty. If successful, the amendment would provide the BVI government with additional flexibility in ministerial appointments.
Wheatley defended his decision to publicly designate Smith as Minister of State ahead of securing the constitutional amendment, stating that she was passionate about the role, particularly in relation to financial services—one of the territory’s key economic sectors. He emphasised that the move signals his administration’s commitment to expanding the governance framework to better reflect the needs of the territory.
“My point in communicating it is to let persons know that this is something we want to get done as quickly as possible,” he said.
While Smith is not a member of Cabinet, the Premier noted that she will be invited to Cabinet meetings as needed to discuss matters related to her portfolio. Under the current system, only five ministers can be full Cabinet members. Any expansion would require additional constitutional reforms, including a potential increase in the number of elected officials in the House of Assembly.
Should the UK approve the amendment, Smith’s position would become official, leaving a junior ministerial post open. Wheatley also indicated that his government may request an increase in the number of junior ministerial positions beyond the current limit of two.
“We would be asking for the ability to have different levels of junior ministers, and I believe it would be prudent for us to request more than just two,” he said.
As negotiations with the UK progress, the government’s ability to restructure its ministerial framework remains uncertain. However, Wheatley remains optimistic that changes can be implemented in a timely manner.
“We will see how quickly we can get it done,” he said, underscoring his administration’s push for constitutional reform.
The proposed changes come at a time when the BVI is preparing for broader constitutional negotiations with the UK. The discussions will not only address the Minister of State position but could also lead to wider governance reforms.
For now, Smith will continue to serve in one of the two existing junior ministerial roles until a formal decision is made.
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