The United Kingdom Minister of State for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, has informed British Virgin Islands Premier Natalio Wheatley that an Interim Administration will not be required, signalling a major step in the implementation of reforms recommended by the 2021 Commission of Inquiry.
In a letter to Premier Wheatley dated September 22, Doughty said:
“Given the progress made, while a number of important concerns remain about the implementation of the measures delivered, the Foreign Secretary, on my advice, has concluded that an Interim Administration will however not be required and has therefore issued instruction to ‘lift’ the draft Order in Council (through revocation) that would have provided for an Interim Administration. This will take some months practically to take effect, and my officials will discuss the details with you in due course.”
Premier Wheatley had met UK officials in July to discuss progress on the territory’s Framework for Implementation of Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report. Doughty praised the Premier and his team for advancing reforms despite ongoing challenges, including recovery from the 2017 hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The objectives of your government’s approach are as relevant now as they were then – to deliver justice where wrongdoing is found, to engender a new culture in Government, and to ensure the effective functioning of institutions and systems that support good governance,” he wrote.
While the revocation of the Order in Council reflects significant progress, Doughty emphasised that continued reform is essential. He instructed the Governor to establish a monitoring mechanism, including the publication of six-monthly reviews, and proposed an annual joint survey to assess broader governance issues.
The letter also addressed ongoing concerns over policing, customs, and security, citing findings from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Rescue Services (HMICFRS). Mr Doughty highlighted the need for urgent completion of vetting processes and adequate funding for law enforcement agencies to tackle serious and organised crime.
Separately, he noted the importance of advancing measures on financial transparency and tackling illicit finance, and reiterated that the UK’s constitutional position regarding the Virgin Islands remains unchanged.
Doughty concluded by expressing hope for a “new chapter” in the UK-Virgin Islands relationship and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to partnership, governance, and security.
The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in the British Virgin Islands was launched in January 2021 under former Governor Augustus Jaspert amid concerns over potential corruption, abuse of office, and significant dishonesty within the public sector.
Sir Gary Hickinbottom, the Inquiry Commissioner, delivered a detailed 900-page report to Governor John Rankin on April 4, 2022. The report outlined widespread findings of corruption across multiple levels of government and included 45 specific recommendations alongside four overarching proposals. Among these was the controversial suggestion to partially suspend the constitution to enable a full overhaul of the Territory’s governance structures.
The report followed the arrest of Premier Andrew Fahie in the United States in April 2022 on allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering. In 2024, Fahie was found guilty for his role in a cocaine trafficking and money laundering conspiracy and sentenced to 135 months—equivalent to 11 years and 3 months—in federal prison.
In the wake of Fahie’s arrest, an interim administration was formed under newly appointed Premier Natalio Wheatley. Having previously served as Deputy Premier during the inquiry, Wheatley led efforts to implement the recommendations and avert a constitutional suspension. Partial reforms were enacted ahead of the 2023 elections, with all political parties committing to uphold the CoI’s recommendations. Premier Wheatley was subsequently re-elected in April 2023.
