Willock resigns as Speaker, to please UK during negotiations against UK dictatorship plans for BVI
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Julian Willock has announced his intention to resign from the post.
Willock made that announcement moments ago at the start of the ongoing sitting of the House on Tuesday, May 3.
According to the outgoing Speaker, it was Acting Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley who invited him to resign during a telephone conversation minutes after 8 o’clock this morning.
“He advised me that the majority of 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 has any knowledge that I was implicated in any aspect of the Commissioner of Inquiry’s report in any way. He said no. I asked the Acting Premier to his knowledge if I was under any active investigation of any matter of governance or misconduct while in office. He said no. So I was surprised with is proposal and message,” he added.
Willock further said he asked for day to get his affairs in order. This, he said, includes advising his family and consulting with his attorneys.
“I have sought legal advice on this matter and I have agreed with Acting Premier to offer my resignation. Both honourable members and the public will hear more on this whole matter from me,” Willock stated.
This news comes roughly 24-hours after a meeting with local officials and UK Minister responsible for Overseas Territories, Amanda Milling.
Dr Wheatley is expected to make an announcement on that meeting later today.
In the meantime, this news also comes days after Premier Andrew Fahie — who appoint Willock as Speaker when his party was elected into government back in 2019 — was arrested in the United States on drug and money laundering charges.
According to the outgoing Speaker, it was Acting Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley who invited him to resign during a telephone conversation minutes after 8 o’clock this morning.
“He advised me that the majority of 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 has any knowledge that I was implicated in any aspect of the Commissioner of Inquiry’s report in any way. He said no. I asked the Acting Premier to his knowledge if I was under any active investigation of any matter of governance or misconduct while in office. He said no. So I was surprised with is proposal and message,” he added.
Willock further said he asked for day to get his affairs in order. This, he said, includes advising his family and consulting with his attorneys.
“I have sought legal advice on this matter and I have agreed with Acting Premier to offer my resignation. Both honourable members and the public will hear more on this whole matter from me,” Willock stated.
This news comes roughly 24-hours after a meeting with local officials and UK Minister responsible for Overseas Territories, Amanda Milling.
Dr Wheatley is expected to make an announcement on that meeting later today.
In the meantime, this news also comes days after Premier Andrew Fahie — who appoint Willock as Speaker when his party was elected into government back in 2019 — was arrested in the United States on drug and money laundering charges.
