Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 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
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×