No animosity with gov’t, I have not resigned

Director of the BVI London Office and EU Representative, Benito Wheatley has said there is no animosity between him and local government, nor has he resigned from his posts.

Wheatley made the announcement following recent reports from a local online media entity and a radio talk show that he walked away from the jobs because of disagreements with Premier Dr D Orlando Smith over future contracts.

He said though he opted to not renew his contract when it expired last September, he is still serving as a BVI diplomat in the United Kingdom.

“The public can rest assured that I will continue to serve the territory faithfully until a successor is appointed in the weeks ahead,” Wheatley said.

He continued: “I have enjoyed a good working relationship with the governments of Premier Dr the Honorable D Orlando Smith, OBE and prior to this; briefly with the government of Premier Ralph T O’Neal.”

“I am immensely proud of the things we accomplished working together in the interest of the territory which were above politics,” Wheatley said, reiterating that he has had no ‘wrangling or disagreements’ with government.

And while elaborating on the move to not renew his contract, Wheatley said he made the decision for ‘personal reasons’.

However, the diplomat said he extended his tenure to help the territory through the difficult post-hurricane period.

“Upon my departure, I will continue to serve the territory in my personal capacity as we pursue our recovery. Country above self!”

Wheatley added that he is confident that a government will identify a British Virgin Islands native to replace him whenever he officially demits office.