Local News
Virgin Islands Co-Chairs UK-OT Illicit Finance Dialogue, Celebrates Successful First Year
Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna Smith OBE, announced on Friday, March 15, the culmination of the first year of the UK-OT Illicit Finance Dialogue, a collaborative effort between the Virgin Islands and the UK aimed at combating financial crime.
Established by the Joint Ministerial Council, the dialogue convenes Overseas Territories with key UK Government departments, including HM Treasury, the National Crime Agency, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The overarching goal is to address illicit finance and enhance collaboration in combating financial crime.
Minister Smith emphasized the significance of collaboration in combating financial crime, stating, “Financial crime is a scourge across the global financial system… But we also know that the more we work together, the better we are able to defend against these attacks.”
Throughout the past year, areas of focus for the Dialogue included sanctions, law enforcement collaboration, beneficial ownership, and international regulations on illicit finance. Agreement was reached on establishing sanctions units in the Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos, with law enforcement authorities in the Overseas Territories set to receive training on Cryptocurrencies by the UK’s National Crime Agency.
Minister Smith highlighted the active participation of all Overseas Territories in the dialogue and expressed optimism for future engagements between the UK and the Territories.
The dialogue was attended by Government leaders from various Overseas Territories, including Anguilla, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos, and St Helena, along with UK Government Overseas Territories Minister, Hon. David Rutley MP, and Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at HM Treasury.
As the Cayman Islands Government assumes the role of Co-Chair, Minister Smith affirmed the commitment of the Overseas Territories and the UK to combat financial crime and reinforce the robustness of their financial services sectors.
The Government of the Virgin Islands remains steadfast in its dedication to promoting the overall development of the Territory through commitment and sustainable transformation.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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