BVI News

Fahie breaks the internet while BVI gov’t seeks to avert UK direct rule

News of Premier Andrew Fahie’s arrest in the Miami, USA has populated the world wide web.

As the BVI government begins its fight to stave off a potential UK take-over, Premier Andrew Fahie, in a most dramatic fashion, has ‘broken the internet’ today, and has made the headlines of some of the biggest media outlets in the world.

Fahie’s alleged fall has made the headlines of global outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, The Independent, The New York Times, The Miami Herald, Bloomberg, CNN and several other regional and international media houses.

The Premier’s new-found notoriety comes after his arrest in the United States on April 28, where he faces drug-related and money laundering charges.

According to US court documents seen by our news centre, Fahie was nabbed after he allegedly agreed to allow large amounts of cocaine to pass through BVI’s ports as part of a multi-million dollar deal he made with an informant of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who was posing as a drug trafficker.

During the sting operation, Fahie allegedly told the informant that he feared losing his career, which he had built over a 20-year span.

“It took me 20 years to get here and I don’t want to leave in 20 minutes,” Fahie is alleged to have said.

Today, his worst fear which was described in the court document, has been realised as he was dethroned by headlines in less than 20 minutes.

Now, detained in the US, the BVI Premier is pressed by a daunting potential court trial on one side and the scorn and fury of the BVI people on the other. 

Acting Premier opposes recommendation of UK direct rule

But as the embattled politician contends with these upcoming criminal proceedings, the territory he left behind has been hit with another bombshell in the form of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report which was released to the public this morning.

The COI has recommended that the BVI constitution be partially suspended and that the government cease to exist in its current format for at least two years.

Acting Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has made it clear that he does not support this move.

“I know that will be of great concern to many persons and I too am very concerned about this recommendation. What this would mean in real terms is that there would be no more elected representatives who represents the people of the districts of the territory in the House of Assembly where laws are made for our society,” Dr Wheatley said in a public address on Friday.

“There also would be no government ministers to advance the public’s priorities or Cabinet to approve policy. All of this authority would be vested in the governor,” he added.

Dr Wheatley said he has voiced some of his concerns to the governor and British officials and is scheduled to hold high-level discussions about the recommendations soon.

Suspension! COI recommends BVI gov’t stand down for two years!

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51 Comments

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  1. Good says:

    We tired of all o you!! Alyo go sit down and learn how to be honest and hard working leaders people we can try trust.

    Like 89
    Dislike 1
    • Foolishness and Stupidness says:

      Why does anybody think it will be better with UK direct rule – look at the scandal in the way that country is run, and remember the failure that followed on from the imposition of direct rule in the TCI.

      Like 9
      Dislike 83
      • Esco Ball says:

        “Fahie and Maynard, dressed in what appeared to be prison uniforms, appeared via Zoom in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

        Judge Jonathan Goodman scheduled a pre-trial detention hearing for Wednesday and a preliminary hearing for May 13.”

        Like 17
      • Hopeful says:

        Hopefully, the UK has learnt how to do it after their first try in the Turks & Caicos.

        Like 16
        Dislike 2
      • Hmm says:

        All these people did looking because they don’t follow UK news they don’t know the nonsense be going on up here by the Queen

        Like 1
        Dislike 11
        • Strups says:

          You say up here which means your are there. Set of ungrateful people you are. The QUEEN as you mentioned don’t have anything to do with anything in the first place AND people like you STILL there (with the bs she’s doing) collecting her benefits and living large. Complain you will but you still won’t leave. Sickening.

          Like 6
          Dislike 1
      • Guest says:

        Turks and Caicos has experienced a significant upturn in wealth and living standards since the UK imposed direct rule. ALL those who live there are seeing the benefits of cleaning up corruption and implementing good governance.

        Like 13
    • Let us all remember says:

      “Show me a man that gets rich by being a politician, and I’ll show you a crook.”
      ― Harry Truman

      Like 16
    • Rubber Duck says:

      At last we got rid of the Ringmaster. We don’t want him replaced by his poodle.

      Like 11
    • Wtf says:

      You can’t break the internet. What a stupid
      thing to claim. It’s like saying you broke oxygen.

  2. Acting Premier opposes recommendation of UK direct rule says:

    Are you afraid that the schools will finally be rebuild, the roads fixed? the pension system upgraded? the health care reviewed? I agree it is very scary that we might actually start to see improvements again for the BVI people!

    Like 134
    Dislike 3
  3. Sowhattodo says:

    Why Nat don’t stfu? District 7 said they had enough of him. None of them are fit to run the government, but they want to fight the UK from stepping in because of their dirty deeds SMH

    Like 59
  4. IslandSon says:

    A UK Takeover?? Isn’t it time to welcome them in to help not only create some structure but to rebuild our reputation. Lets work together. All parties, UK officials! We have a spectacular place to visit and live and we should be proud of it. Time to get to work and agree together. Leave the politics and egos on the street.

    Like 89
    Dislike 2
    • Former Resident says:

      The BVI is the most beautiful place I have ever lived in. However, there is an ugly undercurrent that has dragged it down. This is your opportunity to set things right and press the refresh button. Take out the dirty laundry and strive for an honest hard working society. Fix the schools, roads, sewerage, rubbish collection and become a beacon in the Caribbean. I look forward to returning one day to see how you have developed. Writing from Australia.

      Like 41
      Dislike 1
  5. 0% says:

    Natalio if you don’t agree that the government cannot continue and we need intervention, means you have on blind folds.
    With the VIP in power unhindered we will become worst than Haiti. Wake up Natalio.

    Like 53
    • To 0% says:

      He hates anything WHITE , just like a lot of people I know. All races have bad people, so why hate all white people???? Some of them rather the government rap£ them left, right and center than to allow the UK to step in. And something is very wrong with that mentality

      Like 31
      Dislike 2
  6. It's true says:

    “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” Andy Warhol.

  7. For you Andrew says:

    https://youtu.be/SJUhlRoBL8M

    you may skip the add

  8. Anonymous says:

    Direct Rule has my vote!
    Andrew’s alleged criminal activities has been known and or suspected since Andrew became an elected rep many years ago.Larcenous hearts ignored and overlooked and covered up. These same people voted him in…None of the elected members are trustworthy. There is no choice left but direct rule.

    Like 49
    Dislike 1
  9. lol says:

    Ain no push back at this point, all yal better take a seat and start to eat ur finger nails wondering who is next! i have absolutely no remorse for him and for persons that talkin about pray for him…..he watch us go thru the hurricanes, suffer thru the pandemic and all the while sellin us out, allowing guns and drugs to run thru our country like a gateway and was AGAIN ready to sell us out, with no concern for what that drug deal wouldve done to us here as far as crime etc.

    UNDER THE JAILLLLLLLLLLL!

    Like 49
  10. Representation? says:

    What this would mean in real terms is that…no one represents the people of the districts of the territory.”- Nat. We don’t have that now unless you call the turkeys and ham handouts for Christmas representation. It is pathetic now. Can’t get any worse than that.

    Like 30
    • Handouts says:

      Well, a lot of people miss all that ham and turkey and would do anything for free food….even supporting someone who isn’t doing shhh…

  11. I think says:

    Think this administration had ample time to get it’s house in order.. what’s gonna be different now Mr Wheatley? The ball is in your court sir.

    Like 15
  12. 1EYE says:

    I warned them about picking fights they couldn’t win. Colonizers have been doing this for centuries and now they have the sentiment they wanted and schemed for. “God Bless the UK colonizers for saving us from ourselves” And we walked right into that trap. It’s an illusion though, they worked hand in hand with the USA DEA to get Andrew and impose COI UK direct rule. Pride comes b4 the fall. Penn & Sowande keep clean and your time will come.

    Like 11
    Dislike 33
    • Strupppps says:

      To get Fahie? He bight the bait. Stupid man, he did not have to go to those meetings. He did not have to agree to assist. He did not have to accept the 20k in good faith. Nobody to blame but him!

      Like 12
      Dislike 1
      • Jonathan Mason says:

        Of course not. All he needed to do was to immediately report the approaches to law enforcement and to the governor.

    • Okaaay says:

      That’s rubbish and you know it. He’s allegedly been up to no good for years. Maynard even tells the feds that. He has been exposed as an evil criminal.

      Some people’s lack of complete disgust for what they were doing is telling

      Like 10
  13. Babe Ruth says:

    As they say in Baseball, It ain’t over till the fat lady sings. Who she gonna point at to get a reduced sentence?

    And what role did Fahie’s bodyguards play in this? Are they gonna be allow to leave the country or they gonna shoot their way out?

    Like 16
  14. Law and Order says:

    Send the British navy in to protect us from all of the gangsters. The ports and airports need new management and they should inspect all of the containers there. Customs and Immigration needs to be reworked – those peeps are rude . Let’s redo it right.

    Like 24
    Dislike 1
    • Bellfootpants says:

      Start with ports. Review the unnecessary “Directors” scale created shortly after VIP came in to office. Review managers who are currently employed where positions were made up on the fly and no HRM interview process followed. Review raises given on top of exorbitant salaries after taking up roles. Investigate why party members are given contracts in the past months even members of other statutory bodies. Investigate those with houses building and other businesses. Investigate why those with criminal records are working in capacities which require trust.

      Investigate how many friends and family of directors and board members were hired. Investigate qualified managers who were forced out for party members. Investigate the lease of bldgs for extended periods while there are blueprints for years for bldgs on port property. Investigate persons in key roles without diplomas or any area of study or exp in similar roles.

      Investigate the purpose of erecting overseas offices and what have the staff overseas accomplished. Investigate ALL contracts in the past 3 years. Confirm if assets are declared. Investigate foreign accounts and friends and family of employees. Investigate businesses set up in the past months to launder money.

      Like 28
  15. and to think.. says:

    and to think we were all unwilling accomplices.. after all we gave them the tax money to buy tickets pay hotel etc and God alone what else has be doing with our hard earned tax dollars

    Like 19
  16. Meanwhile, back at the ranch... says:

    Meanwhile, let’s all hope “Government Official 1” has a sound sleep tonight. 😉

    Like 14
  17. Son of the Land says:

    Who are the Lebanese in Tortola was the DEA referring to?

  18. Anonymous says:

    Yes

  19. Hustler says:

    You thought you were in de bvi where u would be highly protected boss, well u were in another juristdiction, in another man’s land. Greed is what put u in this mess and no priest, no pastor, no comissioner of police, no high profile lawyer,no obyeah man nor jesus christ can save u. Practice what u preach. U were elected by the people of the bvi to manage the affairs of the territory but here u are involved in drug running. Look at the type of example that u setting then yall want to run down the street man that trying to eat a bread.take that as a lesson and learn from it. Eat little and live long. Learn to be content with what u have

    Like 11
  20. @ @ 3RD DISTRICT says:

    NOW YOU UNDERSTAND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY HE HAD AY TO GET YOU OUT OF THE WAY ( NOW YOU AIN’T NO ATSAINT EITHER ) BUT HO WON’T HAVE TRIED THAT SH*T UNDER YOUR WATCH ( MAYBE YOU GETTING THE LAST LAUGH / WHAT YOU GOT TO SAY BRO ? ❓

  21. NO WAY says:

    Natalio Wheatley, When last you were in a fight for the people of the British Virgin Islands, your fight was against the UK every time you had a chance now you are begging them not to take over, the biggest mistake the UK would make is not to take us over. All of you VIP ministers stood behind Andrew Fahie in whatever he did.The UK need to take over for the good of the BVI and its people,Natalio Wheatley get losted you can’t run your ministry now you want to run the BVI.

    Like 13
    Dislike 1
  22. Yep says:

    Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University AKA FAMU hangs it’s head low today because of Fahie. PROUD HBCU GRADS UPLIFT OTHERS AND COUNTRU NOT TEAR DOWN WHAT OUR ANCESTORS WORK SO HARD TO BUILD UP.

  23. BohicaCanada says:

    Time to clean up the islands. Too many crooks running the place. You all know who they are. The customs official with the fancy houses, the youngster driving the fancy car.
    Too many guns and drugs.
    $300 million dollar government budget for a few tiny islands.
    You all had this coming. People laughing at you now.

  24. Tamara Greene says:

    Claude you’re awfully quiet. Ready to bail out like you did in Detroit ?

  25. Very concerned says:

    We the people of the Bvi has highly recommend the suspension of the constitution. We are asking that all government officials to please come forward before a full investigation begins. We are asking that the police force be given the power and UK assistance to carry out it’s duty. We the people deserve better…

  26. Concerned 1 says:

    Don’t worry, once your premiere starts squealing you will not have to worry about a lot of the corrupt politicians and cronies . The US government would do you guys a favor and take them.

  27. Big time says:

    If the current government really cared about the bvi , they would call for a early election and resign from government . And allow new people in , this will give the uk less ammo.

  28. deal or no deal says:

    who getting a cut out of the deal? any Govt member?

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