Dr Mitchell, the Chair of the OECS virtual meeting on the subject held Monday, May 2, 2022, said: “We don’t understand why the British in the 21st century would be making decisions similar to what they did years ago in other countries, which were not supported,” according to a video posted by Grenada media house WPG10 on Facebook.

The PM's statements came while scores of Virgin Islanders demonstrated in Road Town against the prospect of the Territory being ruled from London and he added that is not in the interest of the region that colonial decisions are being made by the UK.

PM Mitchell also said it would be unwise for the UK to have that 'Direct Rule' sort of conclusion to their Commission of Inquiry (CoI), especially in the 21st century.

VI should solve its own issues- Dr Mitchell

Dr Mitchell, therefore, called on the people of the VI to adopt a non-partisan approach to UK direct rule and said that both Opposition and Government should be in consultation on the subject.

He said the "Virgin Islands People should be able to solve whatever problems" they have with their own premier,” he said.

Dr Mitchell said the OECS has indicated that they will also provide an advisory group of members to help the political organisation in the VI deal with its issues and the way forward.

“They should be allowed to deal with those issues within the country as a whole, with the support if they so wish, of the advisory group from the OECS,” Dr Mitchell stated.

The [British] Virgin Islands is an Associate Member of the OECS.

Demonstration against the possible imposition of direct rule by the United Kingdom (UK) on Monday, May 2, 2022.

Virgin Islanders are opposed to direct rule by the United Kingdom.

Virgin Islanders are opposed to direct rule by the United Kingdom.