Positive talks had with OT Minister! Goldsmith to address public today
The government has concluded discussions with Overseas Territories Minister Lord Zac Goldsmith about removing the potentially crippling Order in Council currently hanging over the BVI.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley gave that indication in the House of Assembly last evening but did not disclose the outcome of those talks.
He said Lord Goldsmith is scheduled to address the territory some time today.
“I don’t want to pre-empt too much of anything by Minister Goldsmith,” Premier Wheatley said while assuring residents that they can rest easy.
“It’s nothing for anybody to be concerned about or worried about because our interaction was very positive. And I think we’re further cementing the very positive engagement that we had with the United Kingdom as we push for the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands, including our democracy — maintaining our democracy here in the Virgin Islands.”
The Order in Council is a consequence of the findings of a damning Commission of Inquiry (COI) report released last year, and is being held in reserve in the UK parliament.
It sanctions the partial suspension of the BVI’s constitution, removing power from the hands of local lawmakers and allowing for Britain to take over the territory for at least two years if the government does not follow through on its commitment to implement a strict regiment of governance reforms in the territory.
He said Lord Goldsmith is scheduled to address the territory some time today.
“I don’t want to pre-empt too much of anything by Minister Goldsmith,” Premier Wheatley said while assuring residents that they can rest easy.
“It’s nothing for anybody to be concerned about or worried about because our interaction was very positive. And I think we’re further cementing the very positive engagement that we had with the United Kingdom as we push for the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands, including our democracy — maintaining our democracy here in the Virgin Islands.”
The Order in Council is a consequence of the findings of a damning Commission of Inquiry (COI) report released last year, and is being held in reserve in the UK parliament.
It sanctions the partial suspension of the BVI’s constitution, removing power from the hands of local lawmakers and allowing for Britain to take over the territory for at least two years if the government does not follow through on its commitment to implement a strict regiment of governance reforms in the territory.
