Local News
Government Optimistic Order In Council Will Be Lifted Soon
– Implementation of COI Recommendations Completed
The Government of the Virgin Islands has officially completed the implementation of all 48 recommendations stemming from the Commission of Inquiry (COI), following the enforcement of cabinet-approved regulations for the final two legislative pieces.
At a press conference held on February 11, Premier the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley confirmed that the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2024 and the Public Assistance (Amendment) Act, 2024 now have detailed regulations in place, marking what he described as a significant procedural milestone.
“I’m pleased to confirm that Cabinet has approved both sets of regulations, which are now enforced,” Premier Wheatley stated. “This submission represents the culmination of our government’s work to address the COI’s 48 recommendations.”
The Premier also announced that a self-assessment report was submitted to UK Overseas Territories Minister, Hon. Steven Doughty, MP. The report outlines the territory’s progress and underscores its commitment to long-term reform under the Governance Reform Transition Plan, which was approved by Cabinet on April 30, 2025.
According to Premier Wheatley, public officers began implementation of the plan prior to its formal adoption to ensure “momentum was not lost.” The reform framework includes monitoring the implementation of 17 laws, 10 policies, and related processes, alongside structural changes such as the creation of a Governance Reform Unit within the Premier’s Office.
“We have maintained the successful mechanisms that supported COI implementation, such as regular meetings of senior managers and consistent collaboration with the Governor’s Office,” he noted.
The Virgin Islands government’s progress will now be reviewed as part of a comprehensive assessment process led by Minister Doughty. This review will include input from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, along with public consultation.
The Premier expressed confidence that the assessment will support the lifting of the Order in Council, which was put in place in 2022 and would have allowed the UK to suspend parts of the territory’s constitution if reforms were not completed.
“I am confident that these elements, taken together, will affirm our government’s belief that the Virgin Islands has fulfilled the spirit, intent, and letter of the framework agreement,” said Wheatley. “Therefore, it would be just for the Order in Council to be lifted, restoring full democratic self-governance to our people.”
The Commission of Inquiry was launched in 2021 by the UK government to investigate allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and governance failures in the Virgin Islands. The resulting report issued 48 recommendations aimed at improving accountability and transparency in public administration.
With the formal implementation of all recommendations now complete, the territory awaits the outcome of the UK-led review process.
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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