Final decision on lifting Order in Council deferred to next year
UK Overseas Territories (OT) Minister Stephen Doughty announced that the process to lift the Order in Council, which threatens to suspend the BVI’s constitution and impose direct UK rule, might be completed early next year.
In an address posted on the Government Information Services (GIS) Facebook page on Thursday, November 7, Minister Doughty outlined the purpose of his visit, including discussions surrounding the Order in Council. He confirmed that lifting the Order requires a review process.
“In the meetings [I’ve had], I have also set out clearly the process by which the UK will review the progress being made for considering whether the Order in Council can be lifted, following discussions I had in London in September with the Premier and Governor,” Doughty stated.
The Order, enacted after a damning Commission of Inquiry (COI) report on governance in the BVI, remains under consideration despite efforts by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and officials to negotiate its removal.
Doughty emphasized that the review will include transparency and a final assessment by Governor Daniel Pruce. He also noted that a self-assessment from the Virgin Islands government and public input via the Governor’s office will contribute to the process.
“I’m then going to discuss the conclusions with the Foreign Secretary, the government here, and the Governor to agree on next steps, and I hope this will happen in the first part of next year,” Doughty added.
During his two-day visit from Monday, November 4, to Wednesday, November 6, the OT Minister received updates on the territory’s security challenges, governance reforms, financial services—recently taken over by Premier Wheatley—and climate resilience initiatives.
Doughty had previously stated that he wanted to assess the territory’s progress in person before a final decision on lifting the Order could be made.
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The power of the colonial master
How sad…The power of the colonial masters!
UK keep moving the goal post…. Treating us like Palestinians
Yup the positions are identical. Good point. lol
You should also talk to the people of the Virgin Islands if you want to fair about this before you make a decision, what can two days tell you.
Talk to which people of BVI? Did you see who Spruce spoke to/ met with as soon as he arrived? Did you see who this same guy meet with when he arrived? The Arabs that got their store robbed, that’s who. So many things happening and look at their focus. What does the UK do for the BVI? The donate money for the jail and Police Force, nothing else. Why do you think they give a shit about the people enough to talk to them about anything?
via the Governor’s office? I look forward to hearing when/how we can provide that input.
More smoke and mirrors to give the impression that something is being done. The UK is not going to do a damn thing as they have too many issues of their own to manage. Moving right along, nothing to see here. By Easter next year with a long drawn out speech, the order will be lifted and it’s back to life.
He stated that he discussed the PROCESS for which the UK will REVIEW the progress made by discussions back in the UK. Then “hopefully” in the first part of next year (could be as late as June), the next steps.
Before B&B or after Kartel performs?
Predictably lifting the Order in Council will necessitate a review process of all the new rules and laws to establish good governance in the BVI and eliminate all corruption.
The review process will commence next year so the shaky BVI government has a few more months before the sword falls.
The order can be lifted and replaced again.