Local News
Virgin Islands Co-Chairs UK-OT Illicit Finance Dialogue, Celebrates Successful First Year
Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna Smith OBE, announced on Friday, March 15, the culmination of the first year of the UK-OT Illicit Finance Dialogue, a collaborative effort between the Virgin Islands and the UK aimed at combating financial crime.
Established by the Joint Ministerial Council, the dialogue convenes Overseas Territories with key UK Government departments, including HM Treasury, the National Crime Agency, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The overarching goal is to address illicit finance and enhance collaboration in combating financial crime.
Minister Smith emphasized the significance of collaboration in combating financial crime, stating, “Financial crime is a scourge across the global financial system… But we also know that the more we work together, the better we are able to defend against these attacks.”
Throughout the past year, areas of focus for the Dialogue included sanctions, law enforcement collaboration, beneficial ownership, and international regulations on illicit finance. Agreement was reached on establishing sanctions units in the Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos, with law enforcement authorities in the Overseas Territories set to receive training on Cryptocurrencies by the UK’s National Crime Agency.
Minister Smith highlighted the active participation of all Overseas Territories in the dialogue and expressed optimism for future engagements between the UK and the Territories.
The dialogue was attended by Government leaders from various Overseas Territories, including Anguilla, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos, and St Helena, along with UK Government Overseas Territories Minister, Hon. David Rutley MP, and Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at HM Treasury.
As the Cayman Islands Government assumes the role of Co-Chair, Minister Smith affirmed the commitment of the Overseas Territories and the UK to combat financial crime and reinforce the robustness of their financial services sectors.
The Government of the Virgin Islands remains steadfast in its dedication to promoting the overall development of the Territory through commitment and sustainable transformation.
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Tola Radio Battles Legal Dispute Over Shutdown, Calls for Public Support
Tola Radio VI 100.5 FM, known as “the people’s radio,” has been off the air for 14 days amidst a legal standoff with Caribbean Cellular Telephone Limited (CCT). Managing Director Floyd P. Burnett, also known as “Heritage,” is urging public support as the station navigates what he describes as a targeted attack on freedom of speech and locally-owned businesses.
Mr. Burnett alleges that despite meeting all payment requirements and deadlines, CCT refused to accept Tola Radio’s payment and later disabled the station’s broadcasting equipment. “They physically touched our equipment and locked them off, despite written legal letters asking and instructing it not to be done,” he stated.
The dispute follows CCT’s October announcement terminating its service agreement with the radio station. CCT clarified that Tola Radio could retain its services if it became a paying customer, but according to Burnett, his payment was rejected without justification.
The controversy escalated when Burnett claimed an attempt was made to have him arrested and charged with attempted murder. “The public was to wake up and hear the radio off along with hearing I was arrested and charged, but God is greater than man!” he said.
Efforts to secure an extension for relocating Tola Radio’s equipment were also denied, Burnett said. Additionally, an urgent injunction filed in the High Court was postponed by a visiting judge until November 22 without hearing any arguments.
The ongoing shutdown has left eight employees without income, caused significant financial losses, and breached client agreements. Burnett criticized government officials for their lack of action, accusing them of failing to address the issue despite the government being a major client of CCT.
“Like most problems facing the BVI, they can’t [find] no way to help us! Even though the government is the tower people’s biggest client,” Burnett remarked.
Burnett is calling on the public to boycott CCT in protest. “Plug out the phone, plug out the chip, don’t pay your bill! We need to make a statement to corporate BVI today!” he urged.
He framed the situation as a broader fight for “freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of information,” asserting that the attack on Tola Radio sets a dangerous precedent for other local businesses.
Despite the challenges, Burnett assured Tola Radio’s listeners and partners that the station will resume broadcasting soon. “We will be back on air shortly, hopefully before the day is out,” he promised.
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