Local News
Premier Slams Opposition Over “Misinformation” in No-Confidence Motion Debacle
Premier of the Virgin Islands, the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, has condemned the Opposition’s handling of a No Confidence Motion, accusing them of “bungling” the process by failing to comply with the Standing Orders of the House of Assembly.
In his remarks to the public, Premier Wheatley took aim at the Opposition for spreading what he called “misinformation” and for directing “vicious comments” towards the Honourable Speaker of the House of Assembly, whom he insists was not at fault in this matter. “It is unfortunate that some persons have chosen to be selective with the facts,” Wheatley stated, “taking Virgin Islands politics to a dark place.”
The Premier reiterated that while every member of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition has the constitutional right to challenge the Government, “persons cannot on one hand profess to be the vanguards of law and order, and truth and righteousness, and then flout the rules and regulations just because it is convenient to their agenda.”
He further called on the Opposition to apologise to the Speaker for “pre-empting her ruling, walking out of the House while she was delivering her ruling, and casting aspersions against her integrity.” According to Wheatley, “a higher standard of conduct is expected from those who aspire to lead the country.”
The controversy arose from the Opposition’s failure to adhere to the procedures for filing their Motion of No Confidence. The Premier emphasised that the Standing Orders, amended in 2016, clearly distinguish between Government Business and Private Members’ Business. He argued that the Opposition’s motion was categorised under Private Members’ Business, and that the Speaker’s ruling was correct. “A simple reading of the Standing Orders will show that the Opposition’s Motion was clearly Private Members’ Business, and the Honourable Speaker was correct in her ruling,” Wheatley asserted.
Premier Wheatley went on to accuse the Opposition of prioritising political gamesmanship over the completion of critical reforms, claiming that the timing of their Motion was intended to undermine the Government’s efforts to petition the UK for the lifting of the Order in Council. “The Opposition prioritises ‘brownie points’ over the completion of the recommendations and the removal of the threat to suspend our Constitution,” he charged.
As he concluded his statement, the Premier reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to serving the public, highlighting ongoing efforts to repair roads, address infrastructure challenges, and finalise the steps necessary to meet the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations. “My Administration remains united and firmly committed to our responsibility,” Wheatley stated. “There is a lot that needs to be done instead of staging walkouts and press conferences.”
He closed by expressing his readiness to engage in debate when the Motion is properly brought forward, adding, “I look forward to responding to the Motion when it does come up for debate, assuming the Opposition complies with the Standing Orders of the House.”
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has been elected by acclimation as a Vice Chair of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC), a subsidiary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). This decision was confirmed at the 30th Session of the CDCC held on September 11, 2024.
The election results designate Trinidad and Tobago as Chair, Saint Lucia and Jamaica as Vice Chairs, and Saint Kitts and Nevis as Rapporteur. Senior ECLAC officials, including Executive Secretary Mr. Jose Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs and Director of the ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean, Mrs. Diane Quarless, were present at the session.
In its new role, the BVI will assist the Chair, represented by the Honourable Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, Minister of Planning and Development of Trinidad and Tobago. The BVI will support the CDCC’s programme of work for 2024-26, focusing on advancing the Caribbean’s sustainable development and climate resilience under the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Additionally, the BVI will lead a new Working Group established by CDCC resolution to enhance UN system collaboration on providing assistance to ECLAC Associate Members, aiding their sustainability, resilience, and development.
During the CDCC session, Special Envoy Mr. Benito Wheatley, in his capacity as BVI Representative to the UN in Latin America and the Caribbean, assumed the role of Vice Chair. He also participated in the 8th Meeting of the Caribbean Development Roundtable (CDR) from September 9-10, ahead of the CDCC session.
Mr. Wheatley expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “We are humbled by the trust and confidence placed in the British Virgin Islands by ECLAC, the UN system, and the CDCC membership. It is an honour to represent the BVI on this crucial committee that supports the sustainable development and economic transformation of the Caribbean. We look forward to working collaboratively with the CDCC Bureau, committee members, and development partners to advance the subregion.”
The BVI has been an Associate Member of ECLAC since 1984 and joined the CDCC in 1985. The CDCC, established in 1975, aims to facilitate the cooperation and development of the Caribbean subregion.
A significant shift occurred within the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Board when Health and Social Development Minister Vincent O. Wheatley requested the resignation of Chairman Ron Potter.
The reasons for this request remain unclear, and it has not yet been confirmed whether Potter has complied. Potter, who was appointed Chairman in 2023, succeeded Moleto A. Smith, a U.S. Virgin Islands resident who was also reportedly compelled to step down.
The Cabinet’s decision to remove Smith and appoint Potter was formalised in a document from the Cabinet’s meeting on March 8, 2023. At that meeting, the Cabinet decided to appoint Potter, a former Chairman of the BVI Electricity Corporation, to lead the BVIHSA Board for a three-year term, pending approval by the House of Assembly.
Smith’s removal, which took place before the end of his contract set to expire in July 2024, was not fully explained. The Cabinet cited Schedule 1, Section 3(1) of the BVI Health Services Authority Act 2004 as the basis for Smith’s removal. This provision allows the Minister of Health to remove a board member if they have been absent from three consecutive meetings without consent, become disqualified, unable to fulfil their duties, or breached their appointment conditions.
Further details about the potential changes at the BVIHSA remain undisclosed, and no official statement has been issued regarding the matter.
His Majesty’s Customs recognised the achievements of its K9 Unit and their handlers during a graduation ceremony earlier this week, celebrating both newly trained and veteran team members in their efforts to enhance border security.
The ceremony honoured handlers Olympia Maduro-Fahie, B’Jorn Caleb, and Shavique Barzey for their dedication and success. The K9s acknowledged included Gunner, who has been recertified, and two newly trained dogs, Ace and Duece.
Acting Commissioner Greg Romney highlighted the event, held on 11 September, as a significant milestone in the department’s ongoing effort to strengthen and rejuvenate its K9 Unit. “The Department of Customs is pleased to announce the rebirth of our K9 Unit,” Romney said. “This unit plays a crucial role in our fight against the importation of illicit goods. We are committed to disrupting any channels that threaten our border security.”
Romney emphasised that the addition of Ace and Duece, alongside the recertified Gunner, significantly enhances the unit’s operational capabilities. “With these advancements, all K9s are now impeccably trained and fully prepared to bolster the effectiveness of Customs operations,” he added.
Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett also praised the unit’s expansion, noting that the newly trained dogs would enhance the department’s ability to protect the territory’s borders. “These highly trained K9 officers are specifically bred to detect contraband, narcotics, explosives, and assist in human apprehension,” Frett stated. “Their keen sense of smell allows them to detect substances that are nearly impossible for humans to identify.”
Frett expressed gratitude to “Pure Dogz” for their role in training both the dogs and their handlers, ensuring that the K9 Unit is prepared to serve and protect. The rigorous three-week training programme, led by Instructor Keron Pole of Pure Dogs K9 Services, covered both theoretical and practical elements, with a focus on narcotics detection and bite apprehension.
His Majesty’s Customs reaffirmed its commitment to securing national borders and supporting lawful trade by enforcing import regulations and preventing the entry of illicit goods.
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