UK’s Baroness Hodge begins meetings with BVI leaders
The BVI will face another major test this week as Baroness Margaret Hodge, the UK’s anti-corruption champion, begins a two-day visit for high-level meetings with political leaders and representatives of the financial services sector.
According to a UK government statement, the visit is scheduled for September 23–24 and will focus on tackling illicit finance, advancing beneficial ownership reforms, and strengthening financial transparency in the territory.
“Overseas Territories play an essential role in the UK’s global fight against corruption and economic crime,” Baroness Hodge said ahead of her visit. “This trip will help me understand how the BVI is delivering on its commitments and what more can be done to strengthen our shared defenses against dirty money.”
The visit comes at a critical time, with London pressing the territory to complete the introduction of its “legitimate interest” regime for beneficial ownership registers. Under a UK–Overseas Territories agreement, these registers must allow law enforcement, journalists, and other approved parties to access information on who ultimately owns or controls companies registered in the territory.
In a letter to Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley on September 22, UK Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty urged the BVI to move in Britain’s direction ahead of his next meeting with the Premier.
“We discussed a range of separate concerns related to tackling illicit finance and ensuring financial transparency,” he wrote. “I would again emphasise the importance of urgent progress in this area before we next meet.”
The BVI government has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to meeting international standards. Officials point to the Beneficial Ownership Secure Search (BOSS) system — launched in 2018 — which already shares data with UK law enforcement, as well as ongoing efforts to upgrade the territory’s corporate registry platform, VIRRGIN, to enable wider access by early 2026.
Still, critics in the UK and abroad have questioned the pace of reforms. NGOs and parliamentarians warn that delays in opening beneficial ownership data risk leaving the financial system vulnerable to abuse by money launderers, kleptocrats, and sanctions evaders.
Baroness Hodge’s findings are expected to inform the UK’s next steps on oversight of the BVI’s financial services sector. London has previously signalled that if progress stalls, it may consider more direct interventions — including legislative action — to ensure compliance with international standards.
For the territory, the outcome of this visit will be closely watched both locally and internationally. The financial services sector accounts for roughly 60 percent of government revenue, making the stakes high for the BVI’s reputation and economic stability.
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Baroness Hodge’s visit makes clear what the UK’s real priorities are.
The UK is focused on beneficial ownership and financial transparency because failure to act risks embarrassment on the international stage. They want to avoid another leak or scandal that could tarnish their reputation. That is why they have energy for this issue, and to some extent for security, since both are tied to how the UK itself is perceived globally.
But when it comes to the daily reality of life in the Territory, their interest seems to vanish. They show no urgency about terrible roads, crumbling infrastructure, frequent water and power outages, runaway public expenditure, or the completely out of step compensation of our leaders. On these issues they are content to dismiss concerns with the attitude: “you elected them, you get the leaders you deserve.”
And when financial services inevitably take a hit, the UK offers nothing to replace that revenue.
This contrast tells us everything about where we rank in the UK’s hierarchy of concerns: international optics come first, the welfare of the people who actually live here comes last.
Exactly. Why hold on to issues that the locals seem not to care to change. Bvi too soft and UK right not to headache with this place. Only headache with the things that will impact them. I see the point.
She need to look into the high noon stick up at the treasury and figure out where the missing millions went.
Uk done fail us
No one was held accountable for all the corruption that was found in coi
Y’all just full of hot air. Not studying y’all at all
Hodge brings with her ideology of a racist state,of colonial theft, and capitalist coopters.
Truth is not one citizen of the UK cares about and does everyting to hide their assets.
Yet, with their colonial mentality firmly intact, wants tô come and tell this gvernment hw t run its financial affairs.
Colonialism and its absentee overseers must end. Every person and land has its sovereiegnity and human rights.
The real money laundering happens in London, Singapore, Switzerland, Delaware. This is known, all the other stuff is smoke and mirrors. Try opening a simple bank account in the BVI and tell me if this is a place that is hiding millions of dollars. The way people just sit back and believe any old shit presented to them is mind blowing. The BVIBC has been around for over 30yrs and is not going anywhere. This wild goose chase is not about substance, but rather optics. If you want to stop money-laundering and terrorist financing, tackle the jurisdictions listed below, but they won’t!
Ms. Hodge, what does your portfolio consist of? Is your only interest in these lands related to examining the financial ownership registers? You have come at a time when the region is uneasy regarding the Premier’s capacity to increase his own salary and that of other House members at will, without any accountability. What transparency exists concerning this financial matter in these lands?
Please Baroness Hodge, I know your Trip here is too short. Can you please extend it and Visit the outer Islands? We have a lot to share with you. Please Ms. Hodge?
You should begin by sharing your humanity with the humans you met there when you came.
Instead,you brought your propensity for segregation, a form of racism, with you, which many say nothing about, but do not appreciate.