Politics
“Some questionable conclusions” — Premier criticises some Auditor General reports

Auditor General Sonia Webster
By MERRICK ANDREWS, Online News Editor
(JTV NEWS) — Premier and Minister for Finance Natalio Wheatley said while the Auditor General’s Report on the Claude Skelton-Cline contracts is “pretty straightforward” others are questionable.
The Auditor General’s Report said the three contracts awarded to Claude Skelton-Cline were not a value-added move but rather employment for the contractor.
Skelton-Cline, a talk show host and pastor, was issued the contracts under the Andrew Fahie administration. He was being paid over $16,000 monthly.
Addressing the issue in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Premier admitted that issuing the contracts to Skelton-Cline was a mistake.
“…. Yes, this contract that we speak about, these contracts for Claude Skelton-Cline did come to Cabinet, and I did support them, and I am here to say to you, Madam Speaker, that I believe that I believe my support for these contracts was a mistake, and I believe that the former Premier made a mistake in engaging Claude Skelton-Cline with these contracts,” Wheatley said.
However, the Premier said he disagrees with the conclusions of “some other audits” done by the Auditor General (Sonia Webster).
“This audit [Skelton-Cline contracts] is pretty straightforward. I’ll have to say we have some other audits coming where the Auditor General comes to some conclusions that I disagree with, and that’s ok because the Auditor General herself is a human being, and as a human being her conclusions are not infallible,” Premier Wheatley said.

Premier Wheatley during the House of Assembly sitting on Feb. 21, 2023.
He added: “She is capable of human error and her conclusions can be questioned. Her report is her report but her conclusions can be questioned. And in some other audits, she has some questionable conclusions in my view. In this audit, it is pretty straightforward.”
Webster was appointed the auditor general in January 2018 by then governor, Augustus Jaspert, who made the appointment in acting in accordance with section 92 of the Virgin Islands Constitution and with the advice of the Public Service Commission.
A press release from the Department of Information and Public Relations, announcing Webster’s appointment, reported that, “As Auditor General, Ms. Webster’s duties will entail but not be limited to planning, coordinating and supervising the activities of the Audit Department to ensure all audits are completed and are done on a timely basis.
“Ms Webster will audit Government accounts produced by the Treasury Department, and inquire into and audit the financial records of Government departments and ministries plus statutory boards and trusts.
“She will evaluate compliance with financial legislation and regulations; provide assistance and advice to accounting officers in departments on their accounting and control system in order to improve processes across Government; prepare various reports and memoranda, as required, to ensure information gathered is being shared and reported on; and act as an advisory member of the Public Accounts Committee.
“Ms. Webster served as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer with the Alliance Accounting BVI & Alliance Management Consultants, from July 2016 –January 2018; Office of Auditor General, Government of the Virgin Islands, at various periods from July 1988 – November 2015 having served as Assistant Auditor, Senior Auditor, Deputy Chief Auditor and Auditor General, where she managed the BVI Government’s Audit Office.
“Ms. Webster is a member of the International Compliance Association and holds Bachelors in Accounting (BSc) University of the West Indies; Bachelors of Law (LLb) University of London; a Diploma in Financial Crime Prevention (DipFinCrime); and CPE training in management, accounting, auditing and other areas of relevance locally, regionally, in the United States and the United Kingdom.”
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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