Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2025

UK has weaponised ‘accountability’ to cripple, exert influence over BVI

UK has weaponised ‘accountability’ to cripple, exert influence over BVI

Government minister Vincent Wheatley has said words such as ‘accountability’ and ‘good governance’ have been weaponised in British Overseas Territories and continues to hinder the functionality of government.

Wheatley said ‘accountability’ has become an instrument used by the British government to “exert implicit influence” over Overseas Territories.

He shared those sentiments in a recent session of the House of Assembly while raising fresh concerns that a fear of being labelled ‘corrupt’ has gripped many public officials who are guardians of the public purse.

“I ain’t going to jail for nobody”, is the mantra chanted by many public officials whenever asked to approve financial and other resources that elected representatives need to assist the public.

“Which is a worse evil: to have relief money sitting in a bank when a majority of our people face losing their homes, can’t pay rent, can’t buy food, can’t pay bills? Or to pay out relief funds to persons who don’t need it?” Wheatley asked before saying public officials have become so fearful that resources often go to waste before they reach the general public.

“We saw it happen. We had food here after the hurricanes on the festival grounds spoiling while people were in their houses going hungry. You know why that happens? They are afraid of not knowing where something is. They would rather know where it is although it is totally useless,” Wheatley explained.

Widespread fear frustrating legislators


He said the fear of not being accountable is so widespread among public servants that elected officials are often frustrated whenever they try to get government resources to assist the public.

“Elected members are often frustrated to death, trying to do what they were elected to do. The civil servants are not afraid of us but they have a fear of doing certain things. Every minister who ever went to an Accounting Officer has heard them say, ‘Minister, you ain’t going to make me go to jail’. And all we are trying to do is to help our people,” Wheatley explained.

The minister’s criticisms of accountability in government comes amid recent cries of many business owners who said they were waiting too long to receive their COVID-19 stimulus funds under the government’s Small Business Sector Grant Relief Programme.

Wheatley as well as Premier Andrew Fahie have said the cheques were delayed because of bureaucratic processes that have followed to ensure accountability in government.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
×