Premier seeks UK support on border and defence matters
Dr Wheatley, speaking at a press conference on Friday before departing for the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC), said security is a major focus of the annual UK–Overseas Territories meeting.
“Security will remain central,” he said, adding that the agenda includes sessions with UK departments “on internal security, irregular migration, border management, and criminal justice.”
The Premier said the BVI and several other territories need more practical help from Britain to tackle cross-border crime. “Security has been a challenge in many of the territories,” he explained.
He said that while the UK is responsible for external security in most territories, local governments are still bearing the effects. “We are seeking more support… as it pertains to human trafficking, gun and drug smuggling,” he said, adding that the BVI wants “a greater presence, a naval presence, supporting the islands, and quite a number of other concerns as it pertains to security.”
The Premier’s request forms a striking contrast to his predecessor, Andrew Fahie, who declined a UK-offered naval vessel to assist with border patrols during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The then-Premier insisted the territory could manage its own border security and rejected the prospect of a British patrol ship entering the BVI’s waters.
Dr Wheatley will co-chair the JMC with UK Minister Stephen Doughty and described the forum as “the highest level annual forum for dialogue between elected leaders of the United Kingdom’s overseas territories and ministers of His Majesty’s government.”
He said the 2025 meetings form part of a broader push to reset UK-territory relations through new bilateral compacts that clarify shared priorities, including long-term security planning.
Concerns have been expressed about the territory’s waters being used for illegal activity, with reports showing an increase in gun-related crime and trafficking risks, alongside calls for stronger enforcement support. Three locals and four expatriates were arrested earlier this year during a high-risk drug recovery mission in Virgin Gorda that resulted in the seizure of cocaine worth an estimated $144 million. The intelligence-led operation began at sea after authorities pursued a suspicious vessel in a high-speed chase.
Premier Wheatley said the Virgin Islands delegation will take part in plenary sessions, workshops and bilateral meetings to advance these priorities, with security remaining one of the key areas. “The members of the delegation will be participating in JMC and other meetings to help us further the interests of the people of the Virgin Islands,” the Premier said.
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Wow, Premier seeking help from those naughty colonialists
Didn’t Augustus Ulysses get caught telling lies that he had summoned a British warship at short notice when in fact the ship was on a scheduled visit planned almost a year in advance.
When we are independent we will not need England . We will have our own army and navy!
In my considered opinion. In the immediate or near future the government of the Virgin Islands should consider implementing Biometric identification at inspection to enhance border security by using unique physical and behavioral traits like fingerprints and facial scans for real-time, large-scale identity verification, which helps detect threats more effectively than traditional methods. We cannot have persons coming into the Territory willy-nilly without being properly screened.
It’s a terrible idea and you’ve only thought it through one step ahead. With opinions that bad I suggest rethinking others at least until you better understand that one.
@@guy hill. Everything you thought was drowning me was actually teaching me how to swim
You got to accept all and not some. You want to be a child out of your mother’s house you need to be able to take care of all your affairs in your own. So it’s either you are a dependent colony or an independent country running its own affairs not both
Who is the child, and whose being refered the yte boy. Some do and have read your history you know, you and your racist over-tones.
Too late.
They just got rid of their last barge.
Have you tried locally?
But your master ~ in Miami isn’t gonna like that move , as he had told the white boyz, nah we don’t need no help from ar-yo navy) we gah our own sophisticated barges , ask csc i think he was the consultant at the time .
Now that makes sense.
This boy will always be a boy. One bashing UK next day begging for help. The people of the BVI needs to wise up. You still have to go through Pruce Natalie, win loose or draw I’m not in favor of severing my UK ties as you can see within a few days Trump will have the whole Caribbean turn up shut down. What you have in place Natalie to help us
All those fire works last night..What’s the purpose.? They were so powerful, my house was shaking, I thought the BVI was under an attack, or Britain taking over, I ran outside to see what’s going on…These are just fire works shaking the place, imagine the trauma the people gaza going through, young and old with the real Bomb dropping
let them install the radar system that they wanted to back in covid times but VIP turned them down and instead hired a barge….
Joke he mekkin ..mamaguying the UK because he too chupidcto grasp that his stupidity in not realizing hus game is up…the thing would be to give up the whereabouts and the dirt regarding the BVl hands on help in the drug, human trafficking and most of all the whereabouts of the “escape” of the 3 assassins…2 from their lodging inside prison and the most recent andinfamous,the short Brent fellow ,with white collar assist immediately after his hired and pay assignment. Hence Ms V was bold enuff to boldly state that she knew with certainty BREnt had departed the territory.. Only Trump and his machinery could fix the behaviour of the assurance of the electorate in the VI. A raid some smoke followed by an embargo …wicked set of nogood heathens.
Get trump to blast a few go fast boats, shit calm down real fast. Of course bvi economy will dive without the illicit income