BVI speaker resigns at the request of Acting Premier
The political shake up on the British Virgin Islands continued today as Speaker Julian Willock announced his resignation.
In a speech at the start of today’s sitting of the House of Assembly, Willock said his resignation was at the request of Acting Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley following a telephone call this morning.
“He advised me that most members agreed that I should demit office,” Willock said.
“I asked the Acting Premier during the telephone conversation if he was aware that I did anything wrong. He said no. I asked him if he had any knowledge that I was implicated in any aspect of the Commissioner of Inquiry’s report. He said no. I asked the Acting Premier, to his knowledge, if I was under any active investigation on any matter of governance or misconduct while in office. He said no. So I was surprised with his proposal and message.”
Willock said he asked Wheatley for a day to clear the office he had occupied since 2019 and to be able to speak with his family and consult an attorney.
“I have sought legal advice on this matter, and I have agreed with the Acting Premier to offer my resignation. Both honourable members and the public will hear more on this whole matter from me,” Willock added.
In response, Wheatley said the last week had been a turbulent time for the BVI after it received “saddening” and “disappointing news” that Premier Andrew Fahie, Managing Director of the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority, Oleanvine Maynard and her son Kadeem Maynard were arrested on drug and money laundering charges in Miami last Thursday.
Wheatley said the BVI is now faced with the possibility that its constitution may be partially suspended so the UK can exercise direct rule to fix the governance issues highlighted.
To save the island, Wheatley islanders must “hold up a mirror to ourselves, and we have to renew our commitment to the principles of democracy, good governance and transparency.”
“We have to recognise that from the very highest office, what we can do better to improve our home…What I can say without a shadow of a doubt is to get through this moment and to save our Virgin Islands, we need unity, and we need sacrifice.”
He called on islanders to hold each other accountable as they fought on a united front to make the territory a safe and well-governed society.
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