UK holds final say on Order in Council — Governor
The decision to lift the Order in Council threatening direct UK rule in the BVI lies solely with the United Kingdom ministers.
Governor Daniel Pruce confirmed this late last week during a press conference on the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations.
Speaking on the publication of his final review, Governor Pruce clarified that his role is to assess and report on the reforms, not to make decisions about direct rule. “The decision concerning the Order in Council and whether to lift the Order in Council sits with the Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, and also the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy,” Pruce stated.
He added that while he would not “prejudge what that decision might be”, he has provided “an accurate and factual and representative report of where we are” to assist in their deliberations.
The Order in Council, which was held in reserve in 2022 following the COI’s recommendation for possible temporary direct rule, remains a key concern for BVI residents and leaders. Pruce’s report comes amid ongoing debate about governance reforms and whether the BVI has sufficiently addressed concerns raised in the COI.
The governor also noted that his report is only one of several components UK ministers will consider, alongside the Virgin Islands government’s self-assessment and the findings of a public feedback exercise.
“The response to that survey was encouraging. Over 600 people shared their views… and the findings already provide enough indication to give confidence that governance is moving in the right direction,” Pruce stated.
Pruce also dismissed the need for further powers for the governor at this time. “I do not judge that additional powers for the governor are necessary,” he asserted.
The governor stressed that collaboration had been a key factor in the progress made, citing successful joint efforts between his office and the Office of the Premier. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without that,” he explained.
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don’t remove it until them guys complete the reforms, they like to waste our money, this is the only thing stopping them
TAKE HEED TO AFRICA THIS MENTALITY WONT EXIST TOO MUCH LONGER A REVOLUTION WILL HAPPEN
Based on everything, COI, CAFTA assessments and others, it is resoundingly clear that the source of financial crime in this territory CANNOT be attributed to our well regulated financial services industry (the unfair amd biased obsession needs to end despite the “tax” arguments alleged by our UK comrades).
The true sources of financial crime in this territory are a corrupt government comprising corrupt political leaders and the shadow economy involving drugs and weapons of destruction.
Since the UK has an obligation to promote the national security of this territory, then these two issues must be fixed by all means necessary. If the primer can still give away chunks of 250,000 at a time to fund stupid parties, not only without cabinet approval but with cabinet disapproval, then an issue still needs fixing. How much more chunks of money have been given away without us knowing. We see at least 20 million was missing from the cookie jar the other day. Where is it? So the reforms need more reforming. Example, what justifies all the revenue generating ministries being placed under someone who has no financial intelligence. That needs to be fixed. What justifies the appointment of a minister of finance who has no relevant qualifications. That needs to be fixed. Why are certain actions not being added to a defined list to make clear what activities will lead to arrest of a government minister on breach of trust charges.
These are the real loopholes that neeeeeed to be closed if we are aerious about stopping the financial crime in this territory…until then, let the threat of the order in council hang over the head of the corrupt government! The primer cannot be trusted and pur national security is at stake. I can understand why the governor might need to take over. We are dealing with criminals in high places every day.
And let them know we need it now to stop the corruption, stop the airport handout, and start to fix things and do what the people want which is not Independence but a decent place to live with a plan for the people and not just the elites, the politicians and their families.
At the end of the day like it or not Virgin Islands is a Territory of the UK and they should fix it because our leaders clearly cannot or do not want to.