Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Aug 29, 2025

OT Minister concludes visit to BVI! Plans now to update UK Foreign Sec

OT Minister concludes visit to BVI! Plans now to update UK Foreign Sec

United Kingdom (UK) Overseas Territories Minister Amanda Milling said her visit to the Virgin Islands has now concluded and she will return to the UK to update UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on the feedback about meetings and discuss the way forward for the BVI.
She added that she will also have more dialogue with Governor John Rankin and Acting Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley on how to tackle the issues holding back the development of the Virgin Islands.

“This must happen quickly. The people of the BVI deserve no less. You deserve a government which works in everyone’s interests, not just those of a few. A system which promotes and protects, not divides, and instils fear. A future which is bright, not overcast by the dark shadows of crime and corruption. I am committed to delivering this in the interests of the people of the BVI,” Milling said.

She noted the recent events in the territory, with the arrests of Premier Andrew Fahie, have been shocking and concerning for everybody. She also highlighted that the Commission of Inquiry Report raised very serious concerns about the failures of governance and dishonesty by local elected officials.

“I have spent the last few days listening to how you feel about the events. We discussed the recommendations from the Report. And I heard what you think is needed — which is putting the best interests of the people of the BVI at the heart of any future decisions,” she said in an address to the BVI public

“Let’s be clear – the Report highlighted significant concerns around corruption, transparency, and accountability. There is no getting away from this. Like many people have told me, this isn’t a question of whether something should be done. It is a question of what is done. Action is needed now to: strengthen the foundations of the territory; deliver a better public service; maintain a strong and resilient economy; and create better opportunities for the people of the BVI. This is what I heard you want during my visit,” Milling continued.

The Overseas Territories Minister said that in the last few days, she met with a range of people across the territory including Dr Wheatley, the party leaders and members of the House of Assembly, business, and tourism leaders; some of the most experienced political and public service figures; representatives from the financial sector, church leaders and representatives of community groups.

“My meetings have helped me gain greater insight and understanding of the significant challenges facing BVI. Discussions with elected officials have been cordial but frank. They acknowledged the scale of the issue, and that the road ahead will be challenging. But we all agreed that it is a necessary journey,” Milling said.

“During my discussions with community and religious leaders, I heard about the impact corruption has had on the community here. I sought their views on what would be best for the people of the BVI. Everyone I have met has agreed that there need to be significant changes in the BVI to improve governance,” she added.

The OT Minister said it is urgent that systems, processes, laws, and norms are fixed to ensure that money spent by the government – the people’s money – is better spent on roads, education, hospitals, and better public services and not misused as the COI found out.

“We now have the opportunity to do this. To build a government that delivers for its people in a fair, transparent, and accountable way,” Milling said.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Bruce Willis Relocated Due to Advanced Dementia
French and Korean Nuclear Majors Clash As EU Launches Foreign Subsidy Probe
EU Stands Firm on Digital Rules as Trump Warns of Retaliation
Getting Ready for the 3rd Time in Its History, Germany Approves Voluntary Military Service for Teenagers
Argentine President Javier Milei Evacuated After Stones Thrown During Campaign Event
Denmark Confronts U.S. Diplomat Over Covert Trump-Linked Influence in Greenland
Starmer Should Back Away from ECHR, Says Jack Straw
Trump Demands RICO Charges Against George Soros and Son for Funding Violent Protests
Taylor Swift Announces Engagement to NFL Star Travis Kelce
France May Need IMF Bailout, Warns Finance Minister
Chinese AI Chipmaker Cambricon Posts Record Profit as Beijing Pushes Pivot from Nvidia
After the Shock of Defeat, Iranians Yearn for Change
Ukraine Finally Allows Young Men Aged Eighteen to Twenty-Two to Leave the Country
The Porn Remains, Privacy Disappears: How Britain Broke the Internet in Ten Days
YouTube Altered Content by Artificial Intelligence – Without Permission
Welcome to The Definition of Insanity: Germany Edition
Just a reminder, this is Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris.
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
×