Local News
Premier Denies Talks with Lorna Smith on Rejoining Government
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley has denied having discussions with former Deputy Premier Hon. Lorna G. Smith, OBE, about rejoining the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government in the House of Assembly.
Speaking to JTV today, February 6, following a contract signing for the territory’s inaugural Solar Technology and Energy program, Hon. Wheatley addressed speculation following a report suggesting he had been in talks with Smith. “I want all of them to come over, all of them—but no, I have not engaged Hon. Smith in any discussion about coming over,” he stated. However, the premier acknowledged reaching out to her for assistance on financial services matters.
Smith, who was dismissed from the government on October 23, 2024, has also refuted claims that she has returned to the VIP government.
“It is not true. I continue to serve the people of this territory to the best of my ability as an independent member of the Opposition,” Smith asserted. Pressed on whether she had ongoing discussions with the premier about rejoining the government, she declined to elaborate, saying, “I have no further comment.”
Smith, who was appointed Deputy Premier and Minister of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade after the April 2023 general elections, was removed from office via an official letter from Premier Wheatley that morning.
“At approximately 8:00 a.m. this morning, I received a letter from the Hon. Premier stating he requested that His Excellency the Governor revoke my appointment,” Smith said in a statement at the time.
Her departure resulted in Third District Representative Julian Fraser’s appointment as Deputy Premier. Fraser, a former VIP member and chairman of the Progressives United party, has aligned himself with the ruling VIP government. Wheatley defended the leadership change as a necessary step for ensuring stability.
“This is a necessary change to the composition of the government that provides my administration with political stability and a wealth of knowledge and experience which will serve us well over the course of this House of Assembly,” Wheatley said at the time. “Political stability is critical at this time to ensure we finalize the completion of governance reforms and effectively address the recommendations of the mutual evaluation report.”
Smith, initially elected as a Territorial-At-Large representative under the National Democratic Party (NDP), broke ranks to help form the VIP-led administration before ultimately resigning from the NDP.
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Premier Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley was on hand Sunday to present the Guy Eldridge Spirit of Enthusiasm Award to Jim Vos, skipper of Warthog, in recognition of his dedication to youth sailing in the Virgin Islands.
The award was one of the highlights of the final day of the 52nd BVI Spring Regatta, which wrapped up a week of racing on the waters of the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
While the early part of the week saw strong winds and challenging conditions, sailors were treated to classic Caribbean weather for the finale—sunny skies, steady breeze, and warm temperatures.
Despite the tough start, most crews found their rhythm and stayed consistent through the final races. The mix of international and local talent made for a strong showing across the board.
The regatta closed out with a lively celebration at the Regatta Village—sailors, supporters, and organizers coming together to toast another successful year on the water.
Full list of class winners:
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Warthog – Jim Vos (ANT)
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El Ocaso – Tony Mack (GBR)
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Huey Too – Bernie Evan-Wong (ANT)
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Bravissimo – Mike Feierabend (USVI)
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Painkiller/Sea-Battical – Alice Martin (USA)
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Jitterbug – Dr. Robin Tattersall (BVI)
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La Novia – Georges Coutu (DOM)
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Layla – Andrew Anne (GBR)
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Ting A Ling – Graham Harney (BVI)
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Cricket – Sandy Mair (BVI)
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Flying Jenny – Sandy Askew (USA)
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A man drowned Wednesday afternoon after being swept into the sea by a powerful wave while fishing along the rocky coastline of Carrot Bay, local authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred near the former site of the Isabella Morris Primary School, which has since been demolished. According to witnesses, the victim was fishing with two other men when a massive wave pulled him into the water. His companions ran for help, but by the time assistance arrived, he had already disappeared beneath the waves.
Local fishermen later recovered the man’s body. The drowning occurred sometime before 5:30 p.m. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity.
Police remained at the scene Wednesday evening, where the body was kept on a vessel at the Fisherman’s Ramp awaiting transportation. An investigation is ongoing.
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) rugby team secured the Plate at the 2025 Kowloon RugbyFest, held on March 27 in Hong Kong. The one-day, 10-a-side tournament drew teams from around the world, with the BVI squad advancing through the competition to emerge Plate champions.
This year’s RugbyFest featured more than 30 teams across multiple divisions, hosted at King’s Park Sports Ground. The tournament, organized annually by the Kowloon Rugby Club, is one of the largest social rugby events in Asia and includes elite, open, and veteran brackets.
The BVI squad, which included several young players making their debut debut outside of the Caribbean and Central America.—Roquan Hemmering, D’Von Jones, Jayden Williams, and Gethin Jones—recorded a series of wins and competitive matchups en route to the Plate final. Their performance earned them a place among the top contenders of the tournament’s second-tier playoff round.
In addition to their tournament participation, BVI players were invited to join the Pot Bellied Pigs RFC in a memorial rugby match honoring the victims of the 2002 Bali bombings. The match took place as part of the club’s annual tribute event during RugbyFest. The Pot Bellied Pigs, based in Asia, are known for combining rugby with charitable initiatives and commemorative matches.
The BVI team’s involvement in the memorial game marked the first time the territory was represented in that capacity at RugbyFest.
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Premier Wheatley Presents Top Award at BVI Spring Regatta
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