BVI News

Willock removed to usher in fresh start — Premier Wheatley

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley

Former House Speaker Julian Willock was likely forced to resign his post to give the appearance of a fresh start for the newly established unity government, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has hinted.

He gave that indication during his appearance on the Honestly Speaking radio show yesterday, May 10. At the time, the Premier suggested that Willock’s ability to be impartial as Speaker was in question.

Dr Wheatley said: “The previous Speaker, we thank him for his service, and he does have some accomplishments under his belt of note. But of course, because we’re going forward with a government of national unity, it was time to get a fresh start, of course, to be able to facilitate the type of atmosphere and debate in the House of Assembly that would allow all voices to be able to thrive and to be able to be heard.”

Premier Wheatley said the country now has to embark on a journey of reform; something his unity government has expressed privately and publicly.

However, he said people will not get that sense of confidence unless they see actions to support some of the speeches, words and rhetoric coming from the new administration.

The new Premier said his government will soon be coming to the people of the Virgin Islands with a plan of action that will help get the nation back on the right track.

Willock’s resignation

In his resignation speech, Willock, who had for months been mired in an unresolved legal scandal, told the HOA that the now Premier “advised [him] that the majority of members agreed that [he] should demit office.”

At the time, Willock said he was surprised at Dr Wheatley‘s proposal and message and told the HOA that he enquired whether he had done anything wrong.

The controversial former House Speaker would later claim that he was made the sacrificial lamb in being forced to resign, particularly given the circumstances surrounding the looming threat of a United Kingdom takeover of the BVI, as proposed in a damning Commission of Inquiry (COI) report.

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29 Comments

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  1. Rubber Duck says:

    How is it a fresh start when the same crew that was entirely complicit in the crimes of the Fahie government remain in power?

    Is there any sign of reform? Any hint? No.

    None. They kicked Willock out for some personal reasons, nothing to do with improved government.

    Wheatley and his one party state must go now.

    Like 79
    Dislike 4
    • @Rubber Duck says:

      Who are the Members of Fahie’s Administration complicit in Crimes?

      Mind Yuh! Type Facts and not Slander!

      Like 1
      Dislike 11
      • its libel ... says:

        when it’ s written.

        you think the distribution of the social security money was not a crime , or multiple crimes?

        you think Fahie did that all by himself.?

        Like 19
  2. Questions says:

    So I wonder if he will now refer to himself on his site as disgraced, controversial, embattled, ousted etc. Any body has a view on my questions? Or will he continue with his delusions of grandeur and call himself esteemed?

    Like 42
    Dislike 2
  3. Sorry says:

    Inmate Fahie and the esteemed wig person were alleged co conspirators from Feb. 2019 so he had to go. It’s not important now because the Guv runs the BVI for the next 2 years. The Unity HOA is just a facade to keep life peaceful here.

    Like 18
    Dislike 2
  4. Froggy Wigz says:

    Some people have been allowed to do bu//$hi+ for far too long, but thanks to the COI, we were able to see the corruption. LOL, who can remember when they asked him if he have more male than female friends because of rumor….lol he acted like he didn’t know people have been saying it for years. I notice no mention of the bow tie one

    Like 17
    Dislike 1
  5. OMG says:

    Everyone of the ones sworn in have the inability to be impartial. Just as they did with the Speaker, they need to do the same with the others! The picking and choosing and inadequacies has already started, even before they were sworn in. Just CLEAN HOUSE and start fresh.

    Like 22
  6. dont mind he says:

    Was Willock removed because of his rude behavior in the past towards the UK COI representatives?

    Like 15
    Dislike 2
  7. oh lordo lol says:

    He threw wilcock under the bus

    Like 6
    Dislike 6
  8. St Elmo says:

    Why was Fahie practicing Obeah? Who is Government Official 1? Will he be investigated by the BVI?

    Like 23
  9. Secret Bear says:

    Why TF is the new premier going on this cr**k’s radio show? Did you read the COI report or didn’t you? Wake up, people. This will be business as usual unless we clean house of ALL of them.

    Like 34
    Dislike 1
  10. We know says:

    The former Speaker: “… and he does have some accomplishments under his belt of note.”

    Indeed…
    He’s a known scofflaw.
    Owned but did not reveal ownership of a news media source while in government employ.
    (He was fired from his position as a Permanent Secretary for this. It continues when he was named Speaker)
    Allegedly hired illegal aliens for his news site.
    Known legal manipulator, files numerous baseless law suits to befuddle and annoy his political targets.

    Yes, some accomplishments.

    Like 12
    • One more says:

      Used online media masquerading as news to bring the BVI into disrepute – there is a law against that – and manipulate public opinion in favour of his own agenda and the agenda to divide BVIslanders away from anyone else – immigrant Caribbean people and all white people – in a way that has done damage to the BVI for decades to come.
      Lock. Him. Up.

  11. Jane says:

    The Committee which is tasked to assess whether the former Speaker should have his legal fees met personally or from taxpayers’ monies needs to make their recommendation now. Those members are Mark Vanterpool, Julian Fraser and Vincent Wheatley. There can be no good reason why this decision has not been reached. Time gentlemen, please.

    Like 23
  12. Licker and Sticker says:

    These ppl are not worth supporting. They cannibalising their own. They had him there as Speaker speaking a bunch of rubbish. I will not be marching / protesting for anything attached to this lot.

  13. Give me a minute says:

    Wait. So he explained Willock’s removal on the show of the same man prominently mentioned in the COI, the same recipient of several government contracts Hickinbottom said needed to be further investigated? Really? And people expect substantial change? The players may have changed but the game remains the same.

    BVI people better start speaking up or the place will end up as just another narco state where nothing works as it should.

    Like 10
  14. Frenchman's Cay says:

    We now know that the past Primer have LOTS of time on his hand to read the blogs or have someone to report to him about what’s being said about him. Fat Albert, we in the first is very disappointed that you lead us down this dark Satan road!

  15. Esteem speak up says:

    Did I miss the speaker press conference he was going to call a out what went down. He is showing himself bigger than the premier. He holding what transpired but the premier kicked him under the bus. When they start to turn on themselves tola cant hold them. You win an election and you removing members of your team to accommodate the opposition who ever heard of that.

  16. The Reaper says:

    Fresh start my foot,All of u was there and never ever said everything….Now s**t hit the fan,we crying ?….No ,No, All of u need too step down from you’ll post.Hmmmm .let me start fresh

  17. CHANGE MUST COME says:

    IF WE ARE DOING A FRESH START THE CABINET SECRETARY NEED TO BE CHANGE, SHE NEED TO BE REPLACED. ITS ABOUT TIME TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.

  18. WAKE UP TORTOLA says:

    Stop judging by appearance. You have no idea what hit you.

  19. Najan says:

    What’s the decision on the ‘rogue employee’ Najan Christopher? You said ‘action’ would be taken….

  20. @ BLONDIE says:

    WELL BROKEN NEW , TURNED GHOST NOW
    ? ❓ NO BORIS / RACISM HE WAS FLEXING OFF IN THE HOA LIKE HE OWNED IT , NOT EVEN TRUMP COULD OF TOUCH HE, BLOGGING UNDER NAMES IS ONE OF HIS FAVORITE TOYS , FOOLING HIMSELF WAS ANOTHER, NOW HE HAS REALISED HE WAS TOUCHABLE / WE KNEW HE THOUGHT OTHERWISE / THE 3RD DISTRICT SAID ( BIT** YO ?

  21. Bring Ms Moses Back . says:

    Show true unity. Give Ms Ingrid Moses another shot now it’s a unity government, show forgiveness and seek the best and most qualify person. Ms Misses is. I think she will do a good Job.

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