Premier heads to Bermuda and UK for talks
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Natalio D Wheatley has left the territory for meetings in Bermuda and the United Kingdom, with Deputy Premier Julian Fraser appointed to perform his duties during his absence.
Dr Wheatley is scheduled to attend the Annual Caribbean Overseas Territories Caucus in Bermuda from today, September 8, to September 10. Bermuda Premier David Burt will lead the meeting, according to a government release issued yesterday.
The Premier will travel to the United Kingdom following the caucus for bilateral meetings with the minister responsible for the Overseas Territories from September 10 to 12.
The release did not identify the matters to be discussed at either engagement or list the officials accompanying Dr Wheatley.
Leaders from the United Kingdom’s Caribbean Overseas Territories will converge to discuss shared concerns and areas of co-operation.
The BVI hosted the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories Leaders Caucus at Scrub Island in October 2025. Leaders and senior representatives from Anguilla, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Montserrat attended in person or virtually.
That meeting covered good governance, financial services, security and border protection, frozen pensions, climate change, trade and education. Participants also considered plans to strengthen collaboration and engagement among the territories.
Meanwhile, Fraser will serve as Premier and Minister of Finance from September 7 to 13. He will also assume responsibility for tourism, culture and sustainable development, as well as financial services, economic development and digital transformation during that period.
The government said Fraser’s temporary appointment complies with Section 55(1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.
“If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than 48 hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of the Premier,” the provision states.
Previous bilateral discussions between Dr Wheatley and the UK minister responsible for the Overseas Territories have addressed governance reform and the relationship between the BVI and the UK. The territory has also used such meetings to raise climate resilience, security, illicit finance and constitutional matters.
The government said it remained committed to advancing the territory through international engagement and regional co-operation.
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It makes no sense that he be in the BVI anyway. Waste of time leader. Strupes
This guy spent years calling Kedrick the travel minister, and now he is doing worst, so was it criticism or envy, since he seems to be disgusted with the condition of the Virgin Islands, he prefer to be away from it, so he doesn’t have to face the bad situation.
The false state our Premier continues to present is just so useless and so completely out of touch with the reality people are living every day.
You’re going to Bermuda — and what exactly are you going there to talk about? To put makeup over all the issues? To hide the reality of what is happening in this territory and make yourself sound good?
People are tired of the performance. We need leadership that is willing to confront the problems, be honest about where we are, and actually fix the issues instead of constantly trying to package everything to look better than it really is.
Don’t come back
Hahahaha!!! Why did that make me burst out laughing hysterically??!!! Hahahaaaa!!!!
Let’s see how many more millions go missing while he’s gone this time. A complete joke!
Through the ROOF!
Apparently a few million United States Dollars for 2026..
Lord I pray next election this man gets voted out, all he cares about is traveling abroad and partying, its a joke
Premiere Wheatley:
I am an American citizen I don’t have to stay Tortola with you all and plus I have the greedy bill, I will be paid for life so let me enjoy all the travel because I got advise that you all are voting me out in this upcoming election.
This guy has been voted most useless Premier in the history of the Virgin Islands.
He should be ashamed of carrying the WHEATLEY name.