Premier not keen on sharing Special Advisor’s salary
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has indicated that he is not inclined to publicly disclose the salary of a Special Advisor he intends to make his Chief of Staff, telling reporters he must first review government policy before deciding whether such information can be released.
The issue arose during a press conference when the Premier was asked about the compensation for his chief of staff and whether the position had been advertised.
Clarification was also sought once again on the salary of the government’s recently announced climate change envoy, Dr Kedrick Pickering.
In response, Dr Wheatley said he was not prepared to immediately share salary details and would need to consult the relevant policy governing the disclosure of such information.
“Let me say, as it pertains to advertising what persons make, I’m not really in the business of doing that,” the Premier stated. “I have to consult the policy. We did pass a policy, and the policy may speak about something to do with that.”
“Let me consult the policy and what it says about advertising salaries and whatnot,” Dr Wheatley added while commenting that he found it interesting that people often show significant interest in the earnings of public officials.
Pressed further on the issue, the Premier argued that there may be limits on what salary information can be publicly disclosed, even when the funds come from the public purse.
“If I’m privy to information from someone’s human resources, am I at liberty to share it with the world?” he asked. “Persons do have constitutional rights to a certain level of privacy, and I don’t think, even if public money pays for it, that I’m at liberty to give the details of what public money pays for.”
Dr Wheatley explained that he would review the policy framework and ensure that any disclosure complies with established guidelines.
“The policy, I think, might stipulate even where that information is shared and how it’s shared,” he said. “So let me just remind myself of what the policy says, and then we’ll abide by whatever the policy says.”
During the exchange, the Premier also confirmed that an individual currently serving in an advisory capacity is expected to transition into the role of chief of staff.
The Premier further indicated that the government policy had previously allowed the Office of the Premier to appoint up to three special advisors, and that the new chief of staff arrangement is connected to policies approved by Cabinet.
He later confirmed that former House of Assembly Speaker Julian Willock is expected to serve as a special advisor to his office, though a formal contract had not yet been finalised at the time of the press conference.
Copyright 2026 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
The special advisors get about 10k per month. He wants to take up 10k of your tax dollars to give to a crony who is on bail for fraud and who was fired from the public service and who was asked to resign from the being speaker. Natalio has lost his mind.
he is not out of his mind , he is putting VINO in his back pocket for the election coming up even more so that it is already with ZERO negative news coming from that site for the election period
They make $12k per month. It was announced during the debate in HOA a while back when Hon. Walwyn asked the question.
money giving awa left right and center yet the retires still paying igh prices on food with the little.
we need or increase mr natalio.
everyone abusing the taxes we pensioners already put in …we need our share
Unlike many critics, I have no objection to the Premier hiring an advisor. That is a common and expected part of politics. Nor do I object to the fact that the individual in question owns a digital publication. That too is hardly unusual in modern political environments.Influencing media is essential.
The concern lies elsewhere. The position of Chief of Staff is not simply another advisory role. It is a position that requires exceptional loyalty, sound judgment, and an even temperament. The Chief of Staff serves as a gatekeeper, managing the flow of information and access to the Premier.
When someone in that position allows personal grievances or petty disputes to influence how information moves—or does not move—the consequences can be serious. Important matters may be delayed, distorted, or withheld altogether. And when that happens, the effectiveness of leadership itself can be compromised.
How can u even say the public doesn’t need to know what the public’s money is being spent on? Make it make sense.
we will never be in a better position. the gravy train continues and it will never stop.
Do not worry, the majority is wide awake. He can carry on order in council lifted or not.
They like to talk about transparency yet we the people begging for information like it supposed to be confidential! Release the figures for the advisor salary, year rent paid to leased office spaces & bank of Asia report! Get these guys outta office!
I must have missed it, because he said the figures were coming out immediately – how much was the all night party? How much was Aaron’s extravaganza?
To sterilize any anti government blogging in the yellow paper with elections on the horizon, donations to churches to buy a few sermons next!
But where is the Governor in all of this? He is the head of the civil service and head of state.
All he wants to do is take power away from the government and the people rather than enforce rules now.
This is really a power struggle and not people doing their jobs to make the system work.
How can Natalio say that when the salaries of the department heads, permanent secretaries, and heads of government are all public info in the Budget book?
He needs to be honest.
The governor has not say in the finances of the country. We want Ronnie spearheading finance.
the A8VIPMG Party
All 8 VIP politicians must go and fast
The way you operate is the reason for the public’s perception of government’s corruption.
From La Voz Latina, we believe transparency should never be optional when public money is involved.
If a Special Advisor’s salary is paid with taxpayers’ money, then the public has the right to know how much it is.
This is not about attacking anyone — it’s about a basic principle of democracy: accountability.
Silence on matters like this only raises more questions.
The community deserves clarity, not avoidance.
When is he paying the rest of the owed increments?
PAYOLLA!!!
For this the UK lifted the Order in Council?
Our money must be premier own.
Isn’t this the same guy who give the amount of Myron’s check down to the cent on a political stage, one word for this, Hypocrite.
When will we stop accepting nonsense and show these fools who put them there in the first place?
these people are terrified of a march and riot against them to the point they had to sabotage the last one done by tola radio
Did that contract go out to tender? The Premier is so petty and insists on strict tendering for contracts over $25,000 when it involves hardworking BVIslanders who he hates to see get ahead, yet seems to turn a blind eye when it comes to his cronies.
The big march will be the march to the ballot box on election day. But first they must refund all that wasted money in one way or another.
Ayo elect an American premier, now he talking about chief of staff.
Don’t worry, he will soon have you all electing a congress.
All ayo who vote VIP and corner lady, I glad for all ayo.
Pop style on uhm premier. Let them watch you wuk baby.
How do people know whether they want to apply for the position if the salary is not indicated.
These SECRETS are not normal.
Like the airport SECRETS they are kept SECRET because there is something not right.
SECRETS SECRETS. Natures Dirty Little Secrets.
ALL13+ONEMUSTGO
This man with his worthless and greedy advisers will lose his seat come the next election
Dr Wheatley,
Every nickel spent by the BVI GOVT is fully reportable to the TAXPAYER, who supplies all those nickels. Every salary, every invoice, all of it, should be in the public domain upon request. What are you hiding? Obviously not your stupidity and arrogance as that is on full public display. Do everyone a favor, call for a snap election and save what little is left of this once great place.