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.
Crime/Police
Three Years After Fatal Shooting, Suspect Reportedly Apprehended in USVI

Erick Rabsatt, the 24-year-old man wanted in connection with the December 2021 fatal shooting of Jaimez A. Stoutt in the British Virgin Islands, is reportedly in custody in the United States Virgin Islands.
A source close to the matter has confirmed that Rabsatt is currently being held in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and is awaiting processing to be extradited to the British Virgin Islands to face charges in the case. No official statements have yet been released by authorities in either jurisdiction regarding the detention.
Stoutt, 31, was shot and killed inside Crystal’s Nightclub in Free Bottom, Tortola, on December 11, 2021. He was transported to Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, where he later died. The incident occurred in the early morning hours and was followed by a police investigation that identified Rabsatt as the primary suspect. An arrest warrant was issued, and authorities launched a manhunt that extended across both the British and United States Virgin Islands.
Stoutt was a former U.S. Army soldier who served in Afghanistan in 2011. After returning to the British Virgin Islands, he worked at CCT Global Communications before founding his own landscaping business, Military Cutz. He was also known for his involvement in local basketball leagues.
Following the incident, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force issued appeals to the public for assistance in locating Rabsatt and circulated his photo throughout the region.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Local News
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Local News
Virgin Islands Minister Reflects on Climate Progress as OECS Council Meets in Antigua

At the 12th Regular Meeting of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Council of Ministers on Environmental Sustainability, outgoing Chairperson Hon. Julian Fraser of the Virgin Islands reflected on a term shaped by urgency, transition, and the growing impact of climate-related disasters across the region.
Fraser, who serves as Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change in the Government of the Virgin Islands, offered closing remarks on Tuesday as Antigua and Barbuda officially assumed chairmanship of the Council. The handover took place during a ministerial gathering hosted in St. John’s, Antigua, where leaders convened to advance collaborative environmental policies and regional resilience strategies.
“It is indeed an honor and a privilege to present brief remarks as the outgoing Chairman,” Fraser said, extending formal gratitude to host nation Antigua and Barbuda and its Minister for Health, Wellness and Environment, Hon. Sir Molwyn Joseph, the incoming chair.
In his address, Fraser recalled that in 2024, then Minister and current Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon. Dr. Natalio Wheatley, assumed the chairmanship under the theme “From Aspiration to Focused Action.” That meeting, originally delayed due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl, was later held in the wake of the storm’s devastation across St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.
“Beryl was the earliest category four Atlantic hurricane on record,” Fraser noted, calling it “a stark reminder of climate predictions for our region, which signal that a pattern of rapidly intensifying hurricanes… is likely to continue.”
Fraser, who took over the environment portfolio just six months ago, acknowledged the brevity of his chairmanship due to governmental transitions, but reaffirmed his administration’s support for the Council’s goals. “No fault of yours,” he said of the limited engagement, “but in fact a reality of Parliamentary Democracy.”
Despite the short term, Fraser emphasized his territory’s contributions to key initiatives, including the OECS Road Map to 2030. “On behalf of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands, I wish to express my gratitude for your support throughout the term,” he said.
This year’s meeting proceeds under the theme “Staying the Course in Perilous Times: Sustainable Transformation and Resilient Prosperity.” Fraser offered his full support to Minister Joseph and the Council moving forward. “I wish him and the entire Council of Ministers all the best for a successful meeting today and a well-executed work program throughout this year,” he said.
The OECS Council of Ministers: Environmental Sustainability is a key decision-making body guiding the subregion’s collective environmental agenda, from climate resilience to biodiversity protection and sustainable development.
Fraser’s remarks were met with appreciation by fellow ministers and development partners, including representatives from the OECS Commission, whose Director General Dr. Didacus Jules and Head of Environmental Sustainability, Mr. Chamberlain Emmanuel, also addressed the gathering.
The meeting continues this week with high-level discussions aimed at advancing sustainable development across the Eastern Caribbean in an era of growing ecological risk.
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